Written questions by Kearns.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department have (i) met with and (ii) received communications from (A) Groze Consulting Limited, (B) CGC reSolutions Ltd and (C) Morris de Corve and Associates Limited registered as representing the Republika Srpska Entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Questions 129898 and HL14926 on Taiwan: International Relations, if she will correct the record and state Taiwan is a full member of the Asian Development Bank rather than an observer.

The Government recognises that Taiwan participates in the Asian Development Bank as a full member economy under the designation "Taipei, China" and is happy to correct the record in this respect.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support Taiwan's inclusion in (a) the World Health Organisation, and (b) other multilateral organisations.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 9 March in response to Question HL14926.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department used Global Switch infrastructure, including interconnection and on-ramp facilities, for communications with British overseas missions between 2016 and 2026.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information she held on the role of her Department in the vetting process for Lord Mandelson when she sent her letter to the Foreign Affairs Committee of 16 September 2025.

I refer the Hon Member to the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 20 April and his answers to the questions raised in response, and to the Foreign Secretary's letter to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 18 April, which is available on the Committee's website.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Peter Mandelson's business and personal relationships with (a) individuals, (b) organisations and (c) government of the People's Republic of China were cited as reasons for his failed vetting.

I refer the Hon Member to the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 20 April and his answers to the questions raised in response.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many currently serving Ambassadors have been appointed despite failing their security vetting.

Subject to the normal vetting process, all Heads of Mission are required to have Developed Vetting security clearance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in the context of the sentencing of Hong Kong democracy activist Anna Kwok's father, Kwok Yin-Sang, what steps she is taking to protect the families of BN(O) status holders from judicial harassment and political imprisonment in Hong Kong.

I refer the Hon Member to the response given to question 112773 on 4 March.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of streamlining aid funding to UK suppliers of energy equipment suppliers identified by the Department of Business and Trade as capable of delivering critical aid to Ukraine.

Ukraine faces significant reconstruction needs across its energy sector following sustained Russian attacks. Over the past year, the UK has provided emergency assistance to the energy sector, including £87 million announced over the winter for grid repairs, generators, physical protection and power generation.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) continues to assess the most effective and accountable mechanisms for delivering this support. Since 2022, the majority of UK emergency energy assistance has been channelled through the Ukraine Energy Support Fund (UESF), established at the request of the Government of Ukraine to ensure donor support aligns with Ukraine's priorities through a single, coordinated mechanism. Pooling UK funding with other donors amplifies impact and enables direct support to priorities set by the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy. The FCDO judges the UESF to be cost‑effective and to follow best practice on procurement and reporting.UK companies are encouraged to bid for UESF tenders, with government engagement to support industry awareness of procurement opportunities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will consider implementing Magnitsky-style sanctions against the Hong Kong officials responsible for the sentencing of Kwok Yin-sang, father of exiled democracy activist and BN(O) status Anna Kwok.

We continue to keep the scope of our sanctions under close review, but it would not be appropriate to speculate on any future designations, since doing so could reduce their impact.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the Iranian Ambassador was demarched for the attack on RAF Akrotiri.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement published on 4 March, which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/summoning-of-the-iranian-ambassador-to-the-united-kingdom-fcdo-statement--2.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with international partners on Stepan Latypov; and what assessment she has made of the level of opportunity to secure his release in prisoner exchanges.

We are deeply concerned by and condemn the ongoing domestic repression imposed by the Lukashenko regime, and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining political prisoners.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether medical evacuation flights can currently leave from St Helena Airport following the airport regulators downgrade; and what emergency support is being provided to the St Helena Government to ensure medical safety.

The UK is actively providing assistance, working in partnership with the St Helena Government and Governor. I have been in contact with the St Helena Chief Minister to underline our support and met the St Helena Health Minister and London Representative on 11 February. The St Helena airport now has approval to accept small aircraft, including medical evacuation flights from the island in the case of emergencies. We will work together at pace to urgently ensure a return to full operations at the airport.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support her Department is providing to the St Helena Government following the aviation regulator downgrade of St Helena Airport and subsequent suspension of flights.

The UK is actively providing assistance, working in partnership with the St Helena Government and Governor. I have been in contact with the St Helena Chief Minister to underline our support and met the St Helena Health Minister and London Representative on 11 February. The St Helena airport now has approval to accept small aircraft, including medical evacuation flights from the island in the case of emergencies. We will work together at pace to urgently ensure a return to full operations at the airport.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandleson's contract as Ambassador to the United States was terminated on the basis of gross misconduct.

I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the security of prisons holding ISIS members following gains by the Syrian army against the Syrian Democratic Forces.

I refer the Hon Member to the written ministerial statement published on 28 January. Any further updates on the issues addressed in that statement will be made in the normal way in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials have met with the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China since July 2024.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is in regular contact with our Chinese counterparts at various levels, including with Ambassador Zheng.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which (a) Minister and (b) official demarched the Chinese Ambassador following the verdict on Jimmy Lai.

As the Foreign Secretary confirmed in Parliament in her Oral Statement on 15 December 2025, the Chinese Ambassador was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.  A senior official condemned the politically motivated prosecution of Jimmy Lai that has resulted in this guilty verdict and urged that Lai be released immediately.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many referrals were made to her Department's (a) Pro Bono Medical Panel and (b) Pro Bono Legal Panel in relation to (i) prisoner welfare and (ii) human rights in each year since May 2020.

All referrals to the Pro Bono Legal Panel were in relation to the human rights of detainees:2020 - fewer than 5 referrals2021 - no referrals2022 - fewer than 5 referrals2023 - fewer than 5 referrals2024 - fewer than 5 referrals2025 - no referralsAll referrals to the Pro Bono Medical Panel were in relation to prisoner welfare:2020 - 8 referrals2021 - 9 referrals2022 - No records2023 - 6 referrals2024 - fewer than 5 referrals2025 - fewer than 5 referrals

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the date for publication of the Critical Minerals Strategy.

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office has engaged extensively with other Departments, particularly the Department for Business and Trade, on the development of this strategy, and it will be published in the normal way in due course.