Asked by: John Cooper (Conservative - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department had with the Scottish Government on the planned visits of the Scottish Government's (a) Minister for Business and Employment to China and Japan in April 2025 and (b) Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to Japan in June 2025.
Answered by Catherine West
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and our Embassies in Beijing and Tokyo engaged with Scottish Government officials in support of the visit of the Scottish Government's Minister for Business and Employment to China and the visits of Minister Lochhead and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to Japan. Such support is common practice supporting Devolved Government Ministerial visits overseas.
Asked by: John Cooper (Conservative - Dumfries and Galloway)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions his Department had with the Scottish Government on the planned visits of the Scottish Government's (a) Minister for Business and Employment to China and Japan in April 2025 and (b) Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to Japan in June 2025.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Scotland Office, in coordination with the FCDO, regularly engages with the Scottish Government to discuss and coordinate overseas ministerial visits. This ongoing engagement ensures alignment with UK foreign policy objectives. Discussions of this nature took place in relation to the planned visits mentioned by the Hon. Member.
Asked by: Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Tokyo District Court’s dissolution order against the Unification Church; and what steps he is taking to help protect (a) religious freedom and (b) minority rights.
Answered by Catherine West
This is a matter that is subject to ongoing court proceedings. It is therefore reserved for the Government of Japan and institutions of Japan. The UK has always been clear that the right to adopt a religion or belief, practise it without hindrance, and to share it with others are all key freedoms that everyone should have. As the Minister for the Indo-Pacific, I will continue to champion the UK's long-standing policy to defend freedom of religion or belief for all and promote respect between different religious and non-religious communities internationally.
Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of public statements from representatives of (a) China, (b) Russia and (c) Iran supporting the agreement with Mauritius on the Chagos Islands.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The agreement has been backed by key allies and international partners, including the US and all of our 5 EYES allies. India, Japan and South Korea have all also made clear their support for the deal. As US Defence Secretary Hegseth said, the UK's "very important deal with Mauritius secures the operational capabilities of the base and key US national security interests in the region. We are confident the base is protected for many years ahead."
Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Prime Minister’s oral contribution at Prime Ministers Questions on 11 June 2025, Official Report, column 969, on what evidential basis he said that (a) China, (b) Russia and (c) Iran are opposed to the treaty with Mauritius.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The deal to secure the base on Diego Garcia is vital for our national security.
Our Five Eyes allies - the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada - as well as India, South Korea and Japan, all put out formal statements welcoming the deal.
There are clear safeguards in the treaty, including a clear prohibition to prevent any other foreign security forces, civilian or military - including the Chinese - from establishing themselves on the outer islands.
Asked by: Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Prime Minister’s oral contribution at Prime Minister's Questions on 4 June 2025, Official Report, column 302, what the evidential basis is for the statement that China opposes the Chagos Islands deal.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The deal to secure the base on Diego Garcia is vital for our national security.
Our Five Eyes allies - the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada - as well as India, South Korea and Japan, all put out formal statements welcoming the deal.
There are clear safeguards in the treaty, including a clear prohibition to prevent any other foreign security forces, civilian or military - including the Chinese - from establishing themselves on the outer islands.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk to (1) local job security and economic security, and (2) animal welfare, from the planned onshore salmon farm in Cleethorpes, considering the large-scale die-off of salmon at Mount Fuji in Japan in May and in Nova Scotia in November 2023.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government supports sustainable, industry led, growth in aquaculture. To ensure sustainability, aquaculture operations must comply with extensive land use, environmental, animal health and welfare and veterinary medicines regulations. The proposal for an onshore salmon farm in Cleethorpes will be considered by the relevant regulators, as and when the relevant permissions are sought.
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how long the Global Combat Air Programme development phase is expected to last.
Answered by Maria Eagle
Work is ongoing with our GCAP Partners Japan and Italy to establish the core platform concept and set up the structures needed, ready to launch the Development Phase in 2025.
The programme's ambition remains to deliver an aircraft into service from 2035, and the detailed milestones will be agreed following completion of the Concept and Assessment phase.
Asked by: Callum Anderson (Labour - Buckingham and Bletchley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to evaluate the long-term fiscal impacts of the UK-Japan partnership.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Treasury does not produce official economic and fiscal forecasts. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is responsible for producing forecasts of the UK economy.
The relationship has strengthened in recent years, following the 2020 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the 2023 Hiroshima Accord, underlining the importance of the UK's relationship with Japan. These agreements have led to stronger economic ties, promoted trade and investment, and targeted mutual economic growth and resilience.
Asked by: Callum Anderson (Labour - Buckingham and Bletchley)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support businesses in the Buckingham and Bletchley constituency to benefit from the UK-Japan strategic partnership.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland
The Government is taking forward a new Industrial Strategy Partnership with Japan to support all UK businesses, including those from Buckingham and Bletchley through joint initiatives in innovation, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing and furthering our economic security partnership in support of growth, jobs and access to essential goods and services needed for the UK's future prosperity.
The Government is also supporting businesses in taking advantage of the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership in a variety of ways, from online export guidance to events with local chambers and trade associations.