theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Samantha Niblett:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring all packaging from fast food outlets is marked by the outlet with the car registration of the customer using ANPR to trace back littering to the perpetrator. \p Mary Creagh: This Government has not made an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring all packaging from fast food outlets is marked by the outlet with the car registration of the customer or the use of ANPR to trace back littering to the perpetrator.
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Sarah Dyke:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to support a consumer right to repair through the Circular Economy Strategy. \p Mary Creagh: Defra recognises that repair and reuse are fundamental tenets of any circular economy, and a successful transition aims to eliminate waste and promote sustainability through reuse and resource efficiency. We will consider the evidence for appropriate action right across the economy as we develop the Circular Economy Strategy for England.
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Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has raised concerns on (a) animal welfare issues and (b) feline welfare with the Chinese Government. \p Catherine West: The UK Government and the public share a high regard for animal welfare. Whilst the UK Government cannot guarantee that other countries will adopt similar welfare standards as our own, we encourage others to do so through membership of international organisations such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office raises concerns about the welfare of animals with other Governments and international authorities at suitable opportunities.
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James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to respond to Question 66793 tabled on the 10 July 2025 by the hon. Member for Lewes. \p Stephen Doughty: I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member's written parliamentary question. I issued a response to the hon. Member on 21 July 2025.
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Sir Gavin Williamson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support his Department is providing to humanitarian organisations operating in conflict-affected areas of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK remains committed to addressing the humanitarian crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), allocating approximately £60 million this financial year. Much of this funding will support lifesaving humanitarian aid, including food and cash assistance, clean water access, malnutrition treatment, and supporting sexual and reproductive health services alongside United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The UK remains engaged diplomatically with DRC, Rwanda, and other partners to promote peace and stability. We continue to urge all parties to uphold International Humanitarian Law, protect women and girls, and ensure humanitarian workers can deliver essential services.
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Sir Gavin Williamson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on the (a) recruitment and (b) use of child soldiers. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK is deeply concerned about the reported increase in human rights violations against children resulting from the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including the recruitment and use of children. According to the UN Secretary General's 2025 Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), in 2024, the UN verified the recruitment and use of 2,365 children in the DRC. We have been clear, including at the UN Human Rights Council on 16 June, that the recruitment and use of children in the conflict in the DRC is unacceptable. The UK continues to call for all children recruited by armed groups to be handed over to child protection actors. All parties to conflict have an obligation under international law to protect children. UK humanitarian programming in eastern DRC delivers life-saving emergency assistance, strengthens community resilience, especially for women and girls, and provides essential nutritional support to children.
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Sir Gavin Williamson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the United Nations on the (a) withdrawal and (b) transition of peacekeeping forces from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK regularly engages with the United Nations, including through our Embassy in Kinshasa, our High Commission in Kigali, and our Mission to the United Nations in New York, to discuss the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), including plans for the gradual, responsible and sustainable withdrawal of the mission and the transition of responsibilities to Congolese authorities. The Government of DRC has been clear that further MONUSCO withdrawal phases will only be implemented when conditions on the ground permit.

On 23 July, our High Commissioner in Rwanda discussed MONUSCO with the UN Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region Huang Xia. On 22 July, the UK's Special Envoy for the Great Lakes met with the UN officials to discuss MONUSCO. On 17 July, the UK participated in an International Contact Group for the Great Lakes Region meeting with Special Representative of the Secretary General Bintou Keita and MONUSCO Force Commander Lt. General Ulisses Gomes.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Saudi counterpart on the case of Turki al-Jasser. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: No aspect of our relationship with Saudi Arabia prevents us from speaking frankly about human rights. We regularly raise concerns about individual cases, and officials in our Embassy in Riyadh have raised Turki Al-Jasser's case with the Saudi authorities. The UK strongly opposes the death penalty in all countries and circumstances.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made recent representations to his counterpart in Saudi Arabia on (a) releasing people detained and (b) lifting travel bans imposed on people for participating in peaceful protests. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: No aspect of our relationship with Saudi Arabia prevents us from speaking frankly about human rights. The UK is concerned over the arrests and continued detention of a number of individuals, particularly those detained for expressing their political views. We regularly raise concerns with the Saudi authorities about individual cases, and continue to call for detainees to be given adequate legal representation. The UK also recognises that travel bans can cause significant hardship and distress to those affected.
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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Syrian counterpart on ensuring a (a) comprehensive and (b) unbiased transitional process. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised the importance of accountability and transitional justice for a sustainable political transition, and offered UK support to Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. During the Foreign Secretary's meeting with President al Sharaa in Damascus in July, he also raised this. We support the Syrian Government in establishing Syrian-led processes, such as the National Commissions on Transitional Justice and Missing Persons, and have urged them to engage collaboratively with civil society and the UN to ensure these are inclusive, comprehensive and transparent.
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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to support Syria in becoming (a) unified, (b) inclusive and (c) peaceful. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We have consistently advocated for an inclusive political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians. The Foreign Secretary discussed this with President al Sharaa and Foreign Minister al Shaibani when he visited Damascus in July. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and reiterated this message to Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. We welcome President al Sharaa's commitment to hold free and fair elections, and the announcement of the Supreme Electoral Committee for the People's Assembly Elections. This is an important step in building legitimate legislative and electoral processes. It is vital now that the political transition proceeds in a genuinely inclusive way, is representative, and respects the rights of all Syrians. We continue to press the Syrian Government on these issues. We will judge the Syrian Government by its actions not its words.
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Sir Gavin Williamson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of potential impact of (a) Rwandan forces and (b) its proxies on levels of support for the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK is committed to supporting a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We support the Peace Agreement signed in Washington in June and the Declaration of Principles signed in Doha in July. The Minister for Africa discussed next steps with the US Secretary of State on 21 July and the Qatari Minister of State on 25 July. Continued clashes on the ground highlight the need for sustained peace efforts. On 14 July, the Foreign Secretary spoke with President Tshisekedi, and on 9 July with President Kagame, urging full implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement. The Minister for Africa reinforced this message on 22 July during discussions with the UN Permanent Representatives of Rwanda and DRC. We remain in close contact with regional partners, particularly Uganda, Burundi, Kenya and Togo, and support efforts towards peace by the African Union (AU) and East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC). The Minister for Africa discussed the conflict with the Ugandan Prime Minister in July and President in April; the British High Commissioner also spoke with the President in July. Highlighting the potential of regional economic integration, on 5 June, the UK convened DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and investors to discuss the Ruzizi III hydropower project.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the speech by the Minister of State for International Development at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville on 2 July, what reforms are required for the UK Government to support a capital increase for the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK government supports a capital increase for the World Bank's International Bank for Reconstruction and Development subject to reforms in three areas. Firstly, implementation of reforms aimed at boosting lending from the Bank's existing resources. Secondly, implementation of reforms to improve the Bank's efficiency, agility, shock-responsiveness and operations in fragile settings. Thirdly, reforms to make the Bank more responsive to the voice of the lowest income and most vulnerable countries, ensuring it can support their climate and development needs.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the UK Commonwealth Envoy. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK Commonwealth Envoy acts as a link between the UK government and the wider Commonwealth community. The Envoy represents the UK on Commonwealth governance bodies, leads engagement with the Commonwealth Secretariat and other member states' representatives, and negotiates Commonwealth statements and communiques on behalf of the UK government.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories plans to respond to the correspondence of 12 May 2025 from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove, ref LS06284. \p Stephen Doughty: A response to the hon. member for Hazel Grove's correspondence of 12 May 2025, ref LS06284, was sent on 22 August.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories plans to respond to the correspondence of 7 May 2025 from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove, Ref LS06171. \p Stephen Doughty: A response to the hon. member for Hazel Grove's correspondence of 12 May 2025, ref LS06171, was sent on 22 August.
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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Turkey on the treatment of (a) Alevis, (b) Kurds and (c) Christian minorities in that country. \p Stephen Doughty: The Government maintains a regular dialogue with Turkey, a key North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally and strategic partner. The UK supports the rights of all minority groups in Turkey, including Alevis, Jews, Christians, Kurds and others. The right to freedom of religion or belief is clearly enshrined in the Turkish constitution and both Ministers and officials have raised the treatment of minority groups with their Turkish counterparts.
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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his Department's policy is on (a) whether Tibet is a part of China and (b) whether Tibet has been part of China since ancient times. \p Catherine West: This Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. This includes concerns about the erosion of Tibetan cultural rights and traditions by the Chinese authorities.

We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Energy Secretary and I all raised human rights recently with our Chinese counterparts. We also continue to work closely with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations. On July 2 the UK convened an event in the Human Rights Council to reaffirm the right to freedom of religious belief for all, including Tibetan Buddhists.

The Government recognises Tibet as part of the People's Republic of China. We view the appointment of the next Dalai Lama as a matter for the Tibetan Buddhist community to decide in line with freedom of religion and belief.
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Calum Miller:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many meetings have Ministers held with Roman Abramovich's representatives and the foundation set up to manage the funds received from the sale of Chelsea FC since July 2024. \p Stephen Doughty: The Government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine following Russia's illegal full-scale invasion. There have been regular contacts with stakeholders to achieve this and we are deeply frustrated that it has not yet been possible to reach agreement with Mr Abramovich. It would not be appropriate to provide a running commentary on discussions, but we remain open to reaching a negotiated agreement and, as the Chancellor and Foreign Secretary have stated previously, we are considering all options, including pursuing this matter through the courts if necessary.
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Johanna Baxter:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of the UN Commission for Human Rights report entitled They are hunting us: systematic drone attacks targeting civilians in Kherson, dated 28 May 2025. \p Stephen Doughty: We are deeply concerned by this report by the UN Commission for Human Rights. The Commission concludes that Russian armed forces have committed the crime against humanity of murder and the war crime of attacking civilians, through a pattern of drone attacks on the right bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson province. The UK is focused on Ukraine's immediate defence in the face of relentless Russian attacks on civilians. We have been at the forefront of international efforts to develop Ukraine's capacity to investigate and prosecute atrocity crimes and to support survivors, including through the establishment of the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group with US and EU partners.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has had recent discussions with the Yale University Humanitarian Research Lab on the future of its work monitoring the deportation of Ukrainian children by Russian forces. \p Stephen Doughty: Ukraine's Office of the Prosecutor General has confirmed that Yale's data on deported children has been transferred to the Ukrainian government. The data that the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab provided to Ukraine was part of a larger project, not specifically aimed at tracking deported children. We are working closely with the Government of Ukraine to identify which Open-Source Intelligence providers will best meet their needs to provide this data in future. We are supporting political efforts to return and rehabilitate forcibly deported children and, through the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine, are also funding Ukrainian organisations working to return and rehabilitate children.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse for the use of private jets by his Department since 5 July 2024. \p Catherine West: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office incurred approximately £3,850,000 in ministerial travel costs between July 2024 and the end of March 2025. This figure is inclusive of all commercial, non-scheduled and RAF flights, as well as associated rail and car journeys. The information required to isolate only the cost of private jet usage is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. April 2025 to end June 2025 data will be published in due course via gov.uk, as part of the Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns.
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Mr Calvin Bailey:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to monitor levels of political (a) violence and (b) persecution in Bangladesh; and what recent representations he has made to his counterparts in Bangladesh on those issues. \p Catherine West: The UK has a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights globally. We are closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh. In November 2024, I visited Bangladesh and held discussions about the importance of human rights with Chief Adviser Yunus, and Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain. In February, UK Human Rights Ambassador Eleanor Sanders visited Bangladesh and met senior government officials to discuss justice, accountability and fundamental freedoms.

To support democratic resilience, and reduce political tensions, the UK funded Bangladesh Collaborative, Accountable and Peaceful Politics programme aims at safeguarding civic space, encouraging political cooperation, tackling corruption and mitigating violence. We continue to stress to the Government, both in public and in private, the importance of respect for human rights and rule of law.
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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Indian counterpart on (a) violence against and (b) the effect of anti-conversion laws on Christians in India. \p Catherine West: The UK Government is committed to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief globally. We continue to monitor developments affecting religious communities in India, including Christians, and consider these issues as part of our broader human rights work. We support efforts to uphold inclusive societies and the rule of law, and we regularly engage with international partners and stakeholders on matters relating to human rights.

The British High Commission in New Delhi and Deputy High Commissions across India regularly meet with religious representatives from different faith communities and monitor the situation closely.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many employees in his Department earn (a) £100,000 and (b) £166,000 or more per year. \p Catherine West: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) can confirm that this information is held within our published Annual Report and Accounts for 2024-2025 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/687e39109914d1f63267c5e5/FCDO-Annual-Report-and-Accounts-2024-2025.pdf), the relevant Report pages 128 to 133, and the FCDO Organograms of Staff Roles and Salaries (https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/73e0260a-0516-44ff-b4eb-ba9fec420c45/fcdo-organograms).
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is providing support to establish a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK has long supported efforts to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. This is a manifesto commitment and a personal priority for the Foreign Secretary. UK experts played a key role in discussions within the 'Core Group', which devised the legal basis for the Tribunal. In May, the Foreign Secretary travelled to Lviv and endorsed the legal texts. In June, we welcomed the signing of the bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe. All these steps help bring us closer to making the Special Tribunal a reality. We continue to offer technical, legal and political support as work progresses through the Council of Europe.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) adequacy and (b) effectiveness of the funding provided in December 2024 to help support Ukraine’s capacity to (i) investigate and (ii) prosecute war crimes. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK has been at the forefront of international efforts to develop Ukraine's capacity to investigate and prosecute atrocity crimes resulting from Russia's illegal invasion. Our coordinated approach with US and EU partners through the establishment of the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group has ensured that support from international donors is efficiently coordinated and streamlined in close cooperation with the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine. We continue to review and refine our support, to ensure it is meeting Ukraine's needs.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that (a) victims and (b) witnesses of war crimes in Ukraine are protected from reprisals (i) during and (ii) after investigations. \p Stephen Doughty: Through our support for the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group (ACA), the UK has worked to ensure that the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine (OPG) takes a survivor-centred justice response, rooted in international standards, in order to protect the rights of victims and witnesses. This has included supporting the establishment of the Victim and Witness Coordination Centre in the OPG, which has already provided support and protection to 1,500 people engaged in legal proceedings related to atrocity crimes. The UK is also providing capacity-building support through the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict team of experts to embed international guidance and best practice on survivor-centred approaches into the work of Ukrainian investigators, prosecutors and judges. In November 2024, the Ukrainian parliament approved a law on the legal and social protection of Conflict Related Sexual Violence victims, the development of which was supported by UK funding.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps he has taken with (a) NATO, (b) the United Nations and (c) G7 partners to ensure accountability for senior Russian officials suspected of orchestrating atrocity crimes in Ukraine. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign Secretary regularly raises the issue of international criminal justice and accountability with partners, including in multilateral fora. The UK is committed to securing accountability for those responsible for atrocity crimes, and any allegations in the context of Russia's war in Ukraine must be thoroughly investigated by competent and independent courts - such as the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC's investigation into the situation in Ukraine is ongoing, with several arrest warrants already issued for current or former senior Russian officials.
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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will hold discussions with his Chinese counterpart on protecting the (a) cultural, (b) religious and (c) linguistic identity of the Tibetan people. \p Catherine West: This Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. This includes concerns about the erosion of Tibetan cultural rights and traditions by the Chinese authorities.

We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Energy Secretary and I all raised human rights recently with our Chinese counterparts. We also continue to work closely with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations. On July 2 the UK convened an event in the Human Rights Council to reaffirm the right to freedom of religious belief for all, including Tibetan Buddhists.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is taking action to limit the impact of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), which includes disinformation and propaganda, and working with international partners to forge a collective counter FIMI agenda.

We continue to encourage freedoms for religious and cultural expression in Tibet and across China.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of UK funding for global health data systems supporting future pandemic preparedness. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK has a strong record of partnering and supporting others to strengthen global pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, within which strengthening health surveillance and information systems is a core priority. We strengthen these systems through, for example, our support as leading donor to the Global Fund, the World Health Organisation, Gavi and the World Bank; through the deployment of UK expertise under the International Health Regulations Strengthening Programme; and through bilateral support to strengthen health systems in low- and middle-income countries.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps is he taking to fund (a) disease diagnostics and (b) primary health care services in developing countries. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) supports disease diagnostics through investments in health services, and research and development. We invest in public-private Product Development Partnerships to create diagnostics for diseases like sleeping sickness, malaria, and Tuberculosis. Through our partnership with Institut Pasteur de Dakar we're advancing rapid tests for epidemic diseases such as meningitis, Marburg, and Ebola. Our investment though the Tackling Deadly Diseases in Africa programme (TDDAP) strengthens surveillance and lab systems in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, and DRC, and our investments in the Global Fund support testing, treatment, and prevention in low and middle-income countries, with 335 million malaria tests conducted in 2023. Our investment in Gavi is enabling the vaccination of 300 million children over 2021-2025 and supports diagnostics distribution, with £1.25 billion committed for 2026-2030 as recently announced.

On primary health care (PHC), the FCDO uses multilateral and bilateral investments, diplomacy and research to strengthen PHC systems. Multilateral support through Gavi, the Global Fund, WHO, UNICEF, UNITAID, and the World Bank complements bilateral partnerships. In Nigeria, for example, we're contributing £16 million with other investors to scale up PHC delivery for mothers, infants, and children, and to strengthen the health workforce.
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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of placing an arms embargo on Azerbaijan until it complies with international legal obligations relating to (a) Nagorno-Karabakh and (b) the right of return for Armenians. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK warmly welcomes the recent progress made by Armenia and Azerbaijan towards peace, as summarised by the joint declaration made by their respective leaders in Washington on 8 August. I visited Baku and Yerevan on 25 and 26 August respectively and met with President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan to discuss our support for the recent agreements and to upgrade our relationships to strategic partnerships with both countries. Export licence applications for Azerbaijan are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the UK's Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, and licences are not issued where doing so would be inconsistent with these criteria, and wider policies. We continue to keep our wider policies under review.

We have called for Azerbaijan to provide clarity on the rights and security of ethnic Armenians who wish to return to Karabakh.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the government of Mauritius has requested a visit to (a) Diego Garcia, (b) Peros Banhos and (c) other islands on the Chagos Archipelago in 2025. \p Stephen Doughty: Any visits to Diego Garcia or the other islands in the Chagos Archipelago, including Peros Banhos, by the Mauritian government will be considered on a case-by-case basis until the Treaty enters into force, ensuring at all times the protection of the military base on Diego Garcia.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_198

Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department supports the right of return for Armenians ethnically cleansed from Nagorno-Karabakh. \p Stephen Doughty: It is essential that Azerbaijan makes its recovered territories safe for the return of its own internally displaced population and provides clarity on the rights and security of ethnic Armenians who wish to return. To this end, we strongly welcome the initialling of a peace agreement and the signing of a joint declaration by President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan on 8 August in Washington, and commend President Trump's role in securing this breakthrough. The UK stands ready to support Armenia and Azerbaijan in securing long-term peace, stability, and prosperity for the South Caucasus - I discussed how the UK could do this in practical terms with both leaders during my visit to Baku and Yerevan on 25 and 26 August respectively.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_199
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_199

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answers of 8 July 2025 to Questions 64030 on Gibraltar: Sovereignty and 64027 on UN Special Committee on Decolonisation, if he will make it his policy to (a) reform and (b) abolish the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation. \p Stephen Doughty: The Government believes the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation is outdated and no longer has a relevant role to play with respect to the UK Overseas Territories. For those Territories who wish it, the UK will continue to support requests for the removal of the Territory from the United Nations list of non-self-governing Territories and to support the right of the people of the Overseas Territories to address the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation directly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_200

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was discussed between the UK High Commission to the Mauritius and (a) the Mauritian Minister of Foreign Affairs and (b) the President of Mauritius at their meeting in July 2025. \p Stephen Doughty: The newly appointed British High Commissioner to Mauritius, Paul Brummell CMG, met Mauritius President Dharam Gokhool on 21 July to present his credentials. The conversation covered the bilateral relationship between the two countries. The High Commissioner met Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful twice in July, on 21 and 28 July, and discussed the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia and Strategic Partnership Framework signed in May between Minister Ramful and the Foreign Secretary, as well as the broader bilateral agenda between the UK and Mauritius.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_201

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the Exchequer of providing (a) technical expertise to manage the Chagos Archipelago Marine Protected Area, (b) the provision of (i) training and (ii) institutional partnerships to (A) increase Mauritian maritime security capability and (B) protect fisheries, and (c) patrolling capability across the Chagos Archipelago. \p Stephen Doughty: Decisions on support and provision of training, technical expertise, and institutional partnerships on Maritime Security will be taken as part of the implementation of the Diego Garcia Base Deal with Mauritius. We will not be providing a running commentary on these implementation talks.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_202

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to make the first payment under the UK-Mauritius treaty in the Mauritian fiscal financial year to 30 June 2026. \p Stephen Doughty: The first payment will be made the first of the month following the month of entry into force of the Agreement. An entry into force date will be confirmed once both Parties have finalised all domestic procedures necessary and exchanged letters of ratification.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_203

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the agenda was of the meeting between the Mauritian Attorney General and representatives of the UK and Mauritian Governments on 12 June 2025; and what was discussed at that meeting. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK will not be providing a running commentary on the implementation of the Agreement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_204

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 July 2025 to Question 62582 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, what the annual payments were in dollars previously proposed; what the exchange rate was that the overall costs were estimated in; and and what estimate he has made of the net present value of those payments. \p Stephen Doughty: As per the answer to Question 62582, transferring the finance package into Sterling had no impact on overall cost but did reduce future foreign exchange rate risks for the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_205

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much funding his Department has provided to the British Indian Ocean Territory in (a) each of the last five years and (b) the 2025-26 financial year; and how much funding he plans to provide for the administration of Diego Garcia in each of the next five years. \p Stephen Doughty: The British Indian Ocean Territory Administration publishes an Appropriation Ordinance at the beginning of each financial year. This outlines annual budgets, primarily funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and can be found on their website.

Future funding plans remain subject to future internal business planning processes. The FCDO is committed to providing overseas territories with sufficient funding to ensure smooth running of the territories.

After entry into force of the Treaty, the UK Government will continue to ensure that the Base has the necessary funding to be able to function as it has done well into the next century.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_206

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 15 July 2025 to Question 64731 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, if he will list the full rights and authorities the UK (a) is authorised to exercise in respect of Diego Garcia under the terms of the UK-Mauritius Treaty agreed on 22 May 2025 and (b) was authorised to exercise in respect of Diego Garcia in the proposals at the time of his statement to the House on 7 October 2024. \p Stephen Doughty: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer given to her previous question, 56761, on changes to the Treaty.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_207

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 15 July 2025 to Question 64734 on Diego Garcia: Military Bases, if he will place a copy in the House of Commons Library of the terms of the lease extension clauses that were agreed at the time that he made his statement to the House of Commons on 7 October 2024; and if he will publish an explanatory note for the changes made in the version of the Treaty signed on 22 May 2025. \p Stephen Doughty: We have been clear and consistent regarding the duration of the treaty. The treaty will last for an initial 99 years and may be extended for a further 40 years (and beyond) by agreement between the UK and Mauritius.

Even if no agreement is reached, the UK will have the right to first refusal on the use of Diego Garcia which, if exercised, would prevent the use of the base by any other party.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_208

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with Prime Minister Ramgoolam of Mauritius proposals to issue (a) fisheries and (b) trawler licences for the Chagos Archipelago. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK Government continues to engage with Mauritius on the parameters, and support the establishment of, the proposed Mauritian Marine Protected Area. The terms of this support and assistance will be agreed in a separate process which is already underway.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_209
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_209

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his (a) Ukrainian and (b) Russian counterpart on the release of James Scott Rhys Anderson. \p Stephen Doughty: The Ukrainian authorities have confirmed British national James Anderson was serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, meaning he holds Prisoner of War (PoW) status. Ukraine holds responsibility for engagement on any members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces who are captured and held as PoWs, regardless of their nationality. This includes negotiating with Russia on prisoner exchanges. The UK regularly raises Mr Anderson's case with our Ukrainian partners. We have been clear to the Russian authorities that Mr. Anderson must be treated as a PoW, in accordance with International Humanitarian Law. We remain in close contact with Mr Anderson's family and are providing consular support.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_210

Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Azerbaijani counterpart on private sector investment by UK companies in Nagorno-Karabakh. \p Stephen Doughty: The Government is committed to promoting sustainable economic growth and supporting British businesses overseas. During my visit to Baku on the 24 and 25 August, I discussed economic cooperation and commercial opportunities across Azerbaijan with President Aliyev, Foreign Minister Bayramov, and UK businesses operating in Azerbaijan. This Government's growth mission places an emphasis on unlocking opportunities for UK companies in emerging markets, including the South Caucasus. We continue to encourage responsible investment that supports growth in alignment with regional stability and international legal obligations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_211

Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will provide the Intelligence and Security Committee with intelligence assessments conducted as part of his Department’s China audit. \p Catherine West: The Foreign Secretary has invited the Intelligence and Security Committee to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to receive a briefing from his senior officials on the China Audit.