theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Tom Rutland:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the length of the visa waivers for UK citizens visiting the EU. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: HMG officials and Ministers regularly engage the EU and EU Member State counterparts on a range of issues affecting UK nationals. The UK and the EU allow for visa-free, short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. The UK allows EU citizens visa-free travel for up to six months; the EU allows for visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. UK nationals planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State. The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what was the cost to the public purse of central Government spending on external consultants in each of the last three years. \p Georgia Gould: Individual Central Government departments publish expenditure on external consultants in their annual reports and accounts. The Government is committed to stopping all non-essential expenditure on consultants, and reducing the reliance on contingent labour.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent progress he has made on the Places for Growth programme. \p Georgia Gould: On 14 May, the Government announced it will be:

Strengthening its presence in 13 cross Government locations across the UK.

Ensuring that 50% of UK-based SCS are located outside of London by 2030.

Strengthening the talent pipeline by launching a new apprenticeship programme, setting an ambition for 50% of Fast Stream roles to be based outside London by 2030, and committing to develop and launch a local government interchange programme in partnership with the Local Government Association (LGA).

Reducing the number of Civil Service buildings in London, closing 11 buildings by 2030 to deliver £94m in savings per year.

Launching two new thematic campuses, an Energy Campus in Aberdeen and a Digital & AI Innovation Campus in Manchester.

In June, the Government announced that PfG’s existing thematic campuses in Darlington, Sheffield and Leeds will be leading a new approach to bring together policy makers with those on the frontline to support mission delivery.
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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what date he expects the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to begin inviting relatives of the deceased to submit their claims for compensation. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The delivery of compensation is a matter for the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) as an operationally independent arm's-length body. Going forward, IBCA is aiming to contact an average of 100 people to begin their claim every week. At that rate, they expect to have brought in to claim all those infected people who are registered with a support scheme this calendar year. The Government expects IBCA to begin payments to people who are affected by the end of this year.

As of 17 June, IBCA has contacted 1,707 people to start their compensation claim, and 1,346 have started the claim process. 462 offers of compensation have been made, totalling over £395 million, and so far 310 people have accepted their offers with more than £231 million paid in compensation.

In February, IBCA set out their plans to open the compensation service in stages to make sure it is effective and secure for all those claiming. IBCA have provided details of their plans on their website here: https://ibca.org.uk/news/payments-to-be-scaled-up-in-2025

A relative of a deceased infected person may be eligible for compensation on behalf of the estate of the deceased infected person; as an affected person in their own right; or as both.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether special advisers in his Department have a role in the (a) preparation, (b) clearance and (c) publication of Official Statistics. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Code of Conduct for Special Advisers sets out Special Advisers’ role and responsibilities.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May 2025 to Question 41643 on Government Departments: Equality, whether his Department has provided updated internal guidance on diversity networks since 14 May 2024. \p Georgia Gould: We have not provided internal guidance on diversity networks since 14 May 2024. The Civil Service Code, which is published and available here, sets out the standards of behaviour expected of all civil servants.
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Bradley Thomas:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Government bodies use the Government Car Service; and what the average number of journeys has been in each Department in the last 12 months. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: Since April 2012, the Government Car Service has provided a Departmental Pool Car (DPC) service to several Government Departments for their ministerial travel, whereby the official car is contracted to a Department rather than allocated to an individual. The use made of these services based at Departments is therefore not held by the Cabinet Office.

As is longstanding practice for security reasons, specific details regarding the allocation of vehicles are also not disclosed.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse was of the Civil Service Muslim Network in the last three years. \p Georgia Gould: The Civil Service Muslim Network (CSMN) is a volunteer collaborative group of Civil Service staff. The majority of staff network time is voluntary. The CSMN network does not hold a budget, but a department can choose to provide support where there is a business case to do so. We are not aware of any such financial support. There has been no centrally funded cost to the public purse of the CSMN network in the last three years.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many non-disclosure agreements have been signed by staff in central government departments in the last 12 months. \p Georgia Gould: Departments are required to report to the Cabinet Office on an annual basis the number of confidentiality clauses used in connection with special severance payments, however full information on the use of non-disclosure agreements is held by individual departments.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many government contracts have been awarded without competitive tender since January 2023. \p Georgia Gould: Details of central government contracts above £12,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder (https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder). Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023 above £12,000 inc VAT are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service (https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search). The details published online include whether each contract was let through competitive tendering or via direct award.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to reduce the size of the Government Communication Service. \p Georgia Gould: I refer the hon. member to the answer given to PQ25449, given on the 29 January 2025.
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Henry Tufnell:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps the Legal Aid Agency is taking to engage with local legal aid providers to increase legal aid provision. \p Sarah Sackman: It is vital that those who need legal aid—some of the most vulnerable people in our society—can access it wherever they live.

The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) monitors provider numbers in each procurement area and across all categories of law. It takes operational action where it can, to respond to market pressures that may arise.

At a local level, LAA hold market engagement events to understand challenges to service delivery for particular categories of law, considering how it can remove any barriers or manage concerns which could deter providers from bidding for a legal aid contract.

The LAA consults with provider representative bodies on any proposed contractual changes, with the aim of incentivising legal aid work. Acting on feedback the LAA has made changes to reduce perceived barriers to holding contracts such as increasing the use of remote working, amending supervisor standards and introducing greater flexibility in office requirements.

Legal aid contracts are now offered on an ‘always on’ basis, meaning providers can apply at any time, not just during a fixed bidding window as before. This flexible approach lets new organisations join when ready and allows providers to grow their services. It removes strict deadlines and helps ensure services are widely available. The new crime contract lasts ten years, twice as long as before, making it easier for firms to plan ahead and reducing paperwork. These changes were brought in following considerable market engagement and have been widely welcomed.

The LAA works closely with the Ministry of Justice on policy solutions concerning the supply of legal aid. The Department recently closed a consultation on uplifts to civil legal aid fees. Once implemented, these changes would inject an additional £20 million into the sector each year, and is currently consulting on funding of up to £92 million more a year for criminal legal aid solicitors.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prosecutions have been brought under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in the last three years for incidents involving dogs left in dangerously hot vehicles. \p Sarah Sackman: The Ministry of Justice publishes data on the number of prosecutions under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at criminal courts in England and Wales in the Outcomes by Offences data tool, that can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal Justice Statistics.

However, data held centrally does not include information on whether defendants were prosecuted for offences related to “incidents involving dogs left in dangerously hot vehicles”.

This information may be held in court records but to examine individual court records would be of disproportionate costs.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information her Department holds on when the Legal Aid Agency's online services will be restored following the cyber attack on 23 April 2025. \p Sarah Sackman: This is an unprecedented event involving sophisticated organised crime. It is an evolving situation and every effort is being made to restore systems following the criminal attack on our services. The Legal Aid Agency’s (LAA) digital services have been taken offline to negate the serious criminal threat and prevent further exposure of legal aid providers and users. We will not reopen the system until the appropriate steps have been taken to enable us to do so. We have been able to return some to internal use, enabling an improved ability to support criminal legal aid applications and payments.

The Government are committed to ensuring that operational delivery of legal aid continues. We have put in place business contingency plans to ensure that those most in need of legal support can continue to access the help that they need and that those providing vital legal services can be confident they will continue to receive payments whilst systems are offline. In this way we are continuing to provide legal aid to those who need in without interruption.

The recent data breach is the result of heinous criminal activity, but it was enabled by the fragility of the LAA’s IT systems as a result of the long years of underinvestment under the last Conservative Government. By contrast, since taking power this Government has prioritised work to reverse the damage of over a decade of under-investment. That includes the allocation of over £20 million in extra funding this year to stabilise and transform the Legal Aid Agency digital services. This investment will make the system more robust and resilient in the face of similar cyber-attacks in future.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will review sentencing guidelines for animal cruelty offences in connection with (a) confining an animal in a hot vehicle and (b) other cases of causing unnecessary suffering to animals. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Sentencing guidelines are developed and reviewed by the Sentencing Council for England and Wales, in fulfilment of its statutory duty to do so.

In July 2023, the Council issued guidelines on animal cruelty, which provide the Court with guidance on factors that should be considered, which may affect the sentence given. They set out different levels of sentence based on the harm caused and how culpable the offender is. This is available on its website at: https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/crown-court/item/animal-cruelty/.

Whilst the Government has no current plans to ask the Council to consider reviewing the animal cruelty guidelines, it is open to individuals to approach the Council to ask that they do so.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people absconded while on bail awaiting trial in each of the last five years. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The Ministry of Justice publishes information on the number of people sentenced for failing to surrender to bail under section 6 of the Bail Act 1976 at criminal courts in England and Wales in the Outcomes by Offences data tool that can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal Justice Statistics.
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Esther McVey:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The Supreme Court ruling made it clear that the provision of single-sex spaces is on the basis of biological sex. Providers and government departments should note and follow the ruling.

It is important that we ensure dignity and respect for all. Trans people should have access to services they need but in keeping with the ruling.

The Government is considering the implications of the Court’s judgment, including what this means for Government buildings and policies, to ensure we are fully compliant with the ruling.
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Layla Moran:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) signing and (b) ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The UK Government considers that the current domestic framework and legislation already prevents arbitrary arrests, prohibits torture and degrading treatment, and holds the Security and Intelligence Agencies to account. We therefore currently have no plans to sign or ratify the Convention on Enforced Disappearance.

We strongly condemn any instances of enforced disappearance internationally. We urge states to fully investigate any allegations, prosecute those responsible and provide justice to victims.
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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority claims from Scottish applicants remain unresolved more than (a) 12, (b) 24 and (c) 36 months after a judicial‑review judgment quashing the original decision. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The table below shows the number of applications for criminal injuries compensation which are unresolved more than (a) 12 months, (b) 24 months, and (c) 36 months after the Court of Session quashed the decision of the First-tier Tribunal in judicial review proceedings.

Time

Number unresolved

12 months to 24 months

5 or fewer

Over 24 months to 36 months

5 or fewer

Over 36 months

5 or fewer

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 contains safeguards where an applicant is dissatisfied with the outcome of their application. All applicants have the right to request that their initial decision is reviewed by a different claims officer. If the applicant remains dissatisfied following review, they have the right to appeal to the independent First-tier Tribunal. Thereafter, an applicant can apply for ‘judicial review’ of the First-tier Tribunal’s decision. In Scotland, judicial review claims are heard by the Court of Session. In England & Wales, judicial review claims are heard by the Upper Tribunal.

We have answered ‘5 or fewer’ to mitigate the risk of individuals being identifiable from our response.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a cross-government strategy to eliminate period poverty. \p Seema Malhotra: We recognise that period poverty is a symptom of the wider pressures of the cost of living, which is why this Government is focussed on raising living standards in every part of the UK, so working people have more money in their pocket, and supporting those most in need.

As regards period products specifically, several steps have been taken to improve the overall affordability of products. Since 2021, a zero rate of VAT has applied to all period products, and in 2023 this was extended to cover reusable period underwear.

The Government additionally supports a number of schemes so that those in most need can access period products. All women and girls being cared for by the NHS are entitled to be given, on request, appropriate period products free of charge. Similarly, the Department for Education run a scheme to provide free period products to girls and women in their place of study; with all state-maintained primary and secondary schools, and 16-19 educational organisations, eligible.
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Christine Jardine:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to increase public awareness of changes to passport validity rules for UK travellers to the EU. \p Stephen Doughty: Before travelling overseas, we advise British Citizens to check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's travel advice on gov.uk. This includes entry requirements by country and advice on passport validity. Our travel industry partners amplify our travel advice to their customers through their channels.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking with (a) his international allied counterparts and (b) multilateral institutions to facilitate the availability of war-risk insurance for companies operating in Ukraine. \p Stephen Doughty: We have been working with the insurance industry, international partners and other government departments to lead international efforts on expanding the provision of insurance against war-related risks in Ukraine. Since the 2023 Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office - alongside other international donors - has supported war risk insurance solutions through the World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which international companies, including UK firms, can take advantage of.

The UK provided £20 million to the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) for a Ukraine Recovery focused Trust Fund to provide political risk insurance and trade guarantees for investments into Ukraine. The UK's contribution has galvanised other bilateral donors to contribute funding to scale up of this initiative to now over $115 million.

In December 2024 the UK committed £5 million to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to establish a complementary war risk insurance initiative to cover in-land cargo in partnership with AON and MS Amlin.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Ukrainian government on the adequacy of the availability of (a) insurance and (b) other mechanisms to help (i) support and (ii) de-risk foreign commercial engagement in Ukraine. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK works closely with the Ukrainian government on a range of insurance and other derisking measures to support investment in Ukraine. In March, I and the Minister of State (Gareth Thomas) hosted an insurance industry roundtable at Lloyd's of London jointly with Ministers from the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy to identify the barriers and opportunities to scale up insurance initiatives in Ukraine. We have subsequently supported the Government of Ukraine to establish an insurance task force to collaborate with industry and develop initiatives that make insurance more affordable and widely accessible. Beyond insurance, UK Ministers have discussed and provided support to Ukraine on export credit through UK Export Finance and on investment climate reform where we are providing technical expertise on investment promotion and financial sector reforms through the City-Ukraine hub. I look forward to further opportunities to raise these issues with business and insurance representatives at the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 June 2025 to Question 54687 on St Helena: Bank Services and Financial Services, which of the areas set out will help support Saint Helena to provide (a) financial and (b) banking services to non-residents; and whether it is his policy to encourage the provision of such services, in the context of the steps taken by the Saint Helena government to become economically self-sufficient. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) continues to support the St Helena Government to help strengthen its financial and banking sectors. This includes assistance to modernise financial infrastructure, enhance regulatory frameworks, and ensure compliance with international standards.

The provision of banking and financial services to non-residents is a matter for the St Helena Government. UK Government support has been designed to help St Helena ensure any expansion of services is carefully managed to mitigate reputational and financial crime risks. The FCDO remains engaged with the St Helena Government and the St Helena Financial Services Regulatory Authority to explore opportunities that support the goal of greater economic self-sufficiency, including through the responsible development of its financial services sector.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether RAF Akrotiri and Dhekelia will remain an Overseas Territory. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK Government retains sovereignty over the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia (SBAs) under the 1960 Treaty of Establishment. The UK Government remains resolutely committed to the SBAs, which make an important contribution to the security of Europe and the wider region.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make provision for legally binding agreement protections for Chagossian (a) cultural and (b) historical locations following implementation of the agreement with Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territory. \p Stephen Doughty: I refer the Hon Member to the reply given to his previous question 59998.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the proposed EU security and defence partnership, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed third-state rules on UK foreign policy autonomy in (a) Gibraltar, (b) the Falkland Islands and (c) other overseas territories. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is sovereign over its Overseas Territories (OTs) and is responsible for their external affairs, defence, and security. The UK is proud of the significant role the OTs play to support the UK's, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization's, global security and defence objectives. The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) will in no way impact that significant role, nor will it affect the security and defence relationship between the UK and our Overseas Territories. Furthermore, the SDP does not impact existing or future cooperation between European Union partners and UK Overseas Territories across the globe. The SDP is clear that UK Overseas Territories can be included in future arrangements or agreements.
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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2025 to Question 57372 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, what the costs to his Department were of the Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia. \p Stephen Doughty: The payments to Mauritius will be split between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Ministry of Defence. They will be published in the normal manner alongside other departmental spend in the annual accounts.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in the Republic of Ireland on recent events in Ballymena. \p Stephen Doughty: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland discussed this with the Tánaiste on 12 June.
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David Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he he has made of the potential merits of establishing a bilateral security agreement with Kosovo as an additional mechanism for the KFOR mission. \p Stephen Doughty: The Kosovo Force (KFOR) plays a vital part in maintaining a safe and secure environment in Kosovo, with a significant UK contribution including provision of the bulk of KFOR's Strategic Reserve Force which deployed to help manage down tensions in 2023. The UK provides a substantial package of bilateral security support to Kosovo through defence education, training, and advice under a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding. In Kosovo in April, the Foreign Secretary discussed with Kosovo's President Osmani the potential for enhancing the UK-Kosovo bilateral relationship, including through defence and security cooperation. We will take forward further discussions once a new Kosovan government is in place.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Falkland Islands will remain an Overseas Territory. \p Stephen Doughty: Yes. We will always resolutely defend the sovereignty and self-determination of the Falkland Islands, as I and other Ministers have made repeatedly clear in the House, and to the Members of the Legislative Assembly and Governor in my regular meetings with them. In line with the democratically expressed wishes of the people of the Falkland Islands - most recently in the 2013 referendum, the Falkland Islands will remain a self-governing UK Overseas Territory. The UK Government will always defend the Falkland Islanders' right to determine their own destiny.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what changes he plans to make to the British Indian Ocean Territory (Constitution) Order 2004 following the Treaty with Mauritius. \p Stephen Doughty: Following entry into force of the Treaty, Mauritius will be sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago and the British Indian Ocean Territory will no longer exist. The Government will bring forward a Bill as soon as parliamentary time allows, which will make provision inter alia for the ongoing governance of Diego Garcia.
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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of changes in the level of Overseas Development Assistance on projects preventing the spread of malaria. \p Stephen Doughty: Detailed decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through following the recent Spending Review and through resource allocation processes, informed by internal and external consultation and impact assessments. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is focused on ensuring that every pound is spent in the most impactful way.
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Charlie Maynard:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has considered how his Department can ensure aid is distributed in a way which does not discriminate against religious minorities. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is strongly committed to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all. Our programme funding is one of the several ways in which we work to champion the right to FoRB.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works to ensure that Official Development Assistance (ODA) is allocated to those who are most vulnerable and most in need of this assistance irrespective of race, religion, or ethnicity. This includes religious minorities, who are assessed by our partners when determining those most in need of protection and assistance.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer given of 11 June 2025 to Question 54739 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Marine Protected Areas, whether he has had discussions with his Mauritian counterpart on their plans for fishing activities on the Chagos Archipelago. \p Stephen Doughty: As with the reply to the Rt Hon Lady's previous PQ 59325, the terms of the management and support provided by the UK to Mauritius to establish and manage the Chagos Archipelago Marine Protected Area will be agreed between the Parties by a separate written instrument, as part of implementation of the Agreement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_94

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of Anguilla's ambulance fleet since the provision of UK Government funding in February 2025. \p Stephen Doughty: Earlier this year, the UK expanded Anguilla's ambulance fleet by providing two FCDO-funded ambulances from West Midlands Ambulance Service. These are now operational and have improved Anguilla's emergency response capacity. The West Midlands Ambulance Service will also assist with further training for Anguillan paramedics. This uplift was part of wider UK support for Anguilla's emergency services, including a new search-and-rescue vessel, and support to Anguilla's new Joint Emergency Services Control Room.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_95
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_95

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer given of 11 June 2025 to Question 54739 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Marine Protected Areas, if a Mauritius Marine Protected Area will be implemented to coincide with the implementation of the UK-Mauritius Treaty. \p Stephen Doughty: As the Treaty states, the terms of the management and support provided by the UK to Mauritius to establish and manage the Chagos Archipelago Marine Protected Area will be agreed between the Parties by a separate written instrument, as part of implementation of the Agreement.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_96
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_96

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) Chagossians resident in the UK and (b) all other Chagossians have (i) rights of abode, (ii) resettlement, (iii) return and (iv) other rights derived from the British Indian Ocean Territory (Constitution) Order 2004 for the outer islands. \p Stephen Doughty: I refer the Hon member to the reply to his previous PQ 59998.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_97
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_97

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will conduct a consultation with Chagossians on the (a) restoration of the right of (i) abode and (ii) resettlement, (b) loss of (A) visitation permissions and (B) practical assistance by the UK and (c) fishing and natural resources. \p Stephen Doughty: We recognise the importance of the islands to Chagossians and have worked to ensure the agreement reflects this. We will increase our support to Chagossians, including through: the establishment of a £40 million trust fund to benefit Chagossians; the ability Mauritius will have, for the first time, to resettle the islands other than Diego Garcia (in contrast to the 2016 Conservative Government that decided that a programme of resettlement on the Archipelago would not be taken forward by the UK); and work with Mauritius to start a new programme of visits for Chagossians to the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. We have also maintained the current route to British citizenship for Chagossians, so all Chagossians will remain eligible and free to make their home in the UK. The UK Government regularly engages with Chagossians at both official and Ministerial levels and a new 'Contact Group' will facilitate dialogue between the Chagossian community and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on future programmes.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_98
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_98

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 57196 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether changes were made to the (a) indexation measure for payments, (b) currency payments to be made and (c) the lease extension clause in the period between his oral statement of 7 October 2024 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Negotiations, Official Report, column 46, and the signing of the UK/Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025. \p Stephen Doughty: There has been no change to the terms of extension in the treaty. The treaty will last for 99 years and can be extended, securing the base well into the next century. As referenced in the UK/Mauritius joint statement on 3 October regarding the political agreement, indexation was always a part of the agreement. Between October and May, a shift to sterling values was agreed. At this point, we also strengthened provisions in the Treaty which secure the base and that will stop hostile actors or competitor states from establishing outposts in neighbouring islands. There was no increase to the overall quantum of the Agreement.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_99
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_99

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 June 2025 to Question 56763 on Chagosssians: Finance, from which line from his Department's budget the Chagossian Trust Fund will be resourced; when the implementation discussions will commence; what discussions he has had with his Mauritian counterparts on the Committee they are establishing to oversee the implementation of projects for the Chagos Archipelago; and what engagement he plans to have with the Chagossian community in Britain on the Trust Fund. \p Stephen Doughty: We recognise the importance of the islands to Chagossians and have worked to ensure the agreement reflects this. We will increase our support to Chagossians, including through the establishment of a £40 million trust fund. The UK Government regularly engages with Chagossian groups and representatives at both official and Ministerial levels. The Foreign Secretary and I met Chagossian groups on 22 May 2025. We continue to have regular dialogue with Mauritius on a range of Treaty-related issues including the Chagossian Trust Fund. We will not provide a running commentary on continued engagement. As we have previously stated the costs associated with the deal will be split between the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_100
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_100

Mrs Elsie Blundell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of taking steps with his international counterparts to establish an international fund for Israeli-Palestinian peace. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary are committed to convening a meeting for an international fund for Israeli-Palestinian peace. We welcome the opportunity to discuss further with civil society organisations their work and the prospects for peacebuilding. We want to make sure that the meeting will have the desired effect of building trust across the two communities, and that the timing is sensitive to the circumstances in the region. We will continue to use every diplomatic lever to bring about a ceasefire deal as the first step towards long-term peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians, and the wider region.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_101
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_101

Andrew Gwynne:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Israeli counterparts on the use of military equipment supplied by the UK in military operations within (a) Gaza and (b) the West Bank. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: There are no export licences currently being used for military operations in Gaza or the West Bank. This is subject to the specific measures taken to protect the global F-35 programme.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_102
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_102

Uma Kumaran:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help improve access for humanitarian (a) workers and (b) supplies into Sudan. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK is playing a leading role in response to the crisis in Sudan, including efforts to facilitate more consistent humanitarian access to help facilitate the delivery of lifesaving supplies and the provision of critical services. At the April London Sudan Conference, the Foreign Secretary highlighted the importance of humanitarian access. The co-chairs' statement from the Conference called on the warring parties to facilitate rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access in accordance with commitments made in the Jeddah Declaration, and in adherence with their obligations under international humanitarian law. He also announced £120 million which will deliver lifesaving support to more than 650,000 people.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_103
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_103

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if his Department will make provision to ensure that the current availability of visitation by UK Chagossians to their ancestral islands will continue after any transfer of sovereignty. \p Stephen Doughty: I refer the Hon Member to the reply to his previous question 59998.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_104
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_104

Andy McDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs' oral contribution of 4 June 2025 in response to a question from the hon. Member for Eltham and Chislehurst, Official Report, column 344, what recent discussions he has had with his Canadian counterpart on Israel's access to the F-35 Global Supply Pool. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Conversations with F-35 partners occur regularly and cover a range of issues, however we are unable to disclose details of confidential conversations held within an international programme.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_105
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_105

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the Arab Plan for Early Recovery, Reconstruction and Development. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Foreign Secretary welcomed the Arab initiative of a Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza, alongside Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and Italy on 8 March. To prepare for implementation, the UK has been working with partners to build international support for the Arab plan. In addition, we are exploring innovative finance mechanisms to scale up financing. With our Egyptian partners, we will be co-chairing the Humanitarian and Reconstruction working group at the postponed Two State Solution conference. We will use this opportunity to further mobilise international support for the plan and cohere international donor support and planning.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_106
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_106

Jeremy Corbyn:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will support the establishment of an independent public inquiry into the UK's involvement in Israeli operations in Gaza since October 2023. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The government does not support the establishment of an independent public inquiry into the UK's involvement in Israeli operations in Gaza since October 2023. The government has already set out the role of UK military operations in relation to Gaza. In support of ongoing hostage rescue activity, the Ministry of Defence has conducted surveillance flights over the eastern Mediterranean, including in airspace over Israel and Gaza. Surveillance aircraft are unarmed, do not have a combat role and have been tasked solely to locate hostages in order to uphold the government's primary responsibility: the security of its citizens.