Every parliamentary written question tabled by Alicia Kearns this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 99 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many new allegations of (a) torture and (b) mistreatment were received by her Department in relation to British nationals in 2024.
In 2024, there were 186 new allegations of mistreatment or torture made to consular officers by or on behalf of British nationals detained overseas.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much money has been granted to Inter Mediate (a) in what years and (b) for what purposes.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer of 25 September to question 70453.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her Serbian counterpart on recent protests in Serbia.
The Foreign Secretary and I look forward to meeting Foreign Minister Djuric at the Berlin Process meeting of Western Balkans Foreign Ministers, that the UK will host next month. In visits to Serbia across the year, the former Foreign Secretary, UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Dame Karen Pierce, and I have stressed to the Serbian leadership that all action to manage protests should be proportionate, legal, and respect fundamental rights to peaceful freedom of expression and assembly. Noting with concern recent violent clashes, including with the police, we have continued to be clear - including in our contact through our Embassy in Belgrade - that incidents should be fully investigated and perpetrators of crimes held to account.
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.
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.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government has raised Chinese claims on the Indian territory of Arunachal Pradesh with his counterparts in the Chinese Government.
The UK's position is that it is for relevant parties to resolve border disputes bilaterally. We support all peaceful means to do so and oppose any attempts to use or threaten the use of force to change the status quo. The UK Government welcomes recent discussions between India and China over the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and agreements to deescalate tensions. We continue to support a peaceful resolution between India and China on the border question.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government accepts the Chinese Communist Party's claim to be able to appoint the next Dalai Lama as legitimate.
This Government champions freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all in the UK and abroad, working to uphold the right to FoRB through the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora, and through bilateral engagement. For example, on July 2 the UK convened an event in Geneva to reaffirm the right to FoRB for all, including Tibetan Buddhists and the right to choose their own religious leaders.The UK views the Dalai Lama as a respected spiritual leader and strong human rights advocate. It is our longstanding position that the appointment of the next Dalai Lama is a matter for the Tibetan Buddhist community across the world, in line with FoRB.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government recognises Milorad Dodik as the President of the Repulika Srpska Entity following the upholding of his prison sentence and ban on holding office.
The UK does not recognise Milorad Dodik as the current President of the Republika Srpska Entity. The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has upheld the decision of the Central Election Commission to remove Dodik's mandate, following his conviction, and this decision is final. The UK remains committed to the sovereignty, stability, constitutional order and fully supports local institutions in upholding the rule of law in BiH. Our Ambassador in BiH has made this clear in public statements. We call on all actors to respect the decisions of judicial authorities in BiH.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the China Audit made an assessment of the proposal for a new Chinese Embassy.
No. The determination of the Chinese planning application is an independent process. The decision will be made by Ministers in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in their quasi-judicial capacity.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has (a) accepted and (b) implemented all recommendations from the China Audit.
The Government will take forward work to deliver each of the actions recommended by the China Audit. These will be delivered as part of the Government's broader strategic approach to China.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Members of Parliament will be given the opportunity to read the China Audit in a secure location.
There are mechanisms in place for certain parliamentarians to have access to classified Government material. The Government will not be releasing the full details of the findings of the Audit as it was conducted at a higher security classification.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the China Audit recommended placing China in the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.
The Audit examined the full range of considerations in our relationship with China, including National Security. We keep all designations on the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme Enhanced Tier under review.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Saudi Arabian counterpart on the case of Ahmed al-Doush.
We are providing consular support to Mr Al-Doush and his family and are in contact with the Saudi Arabian authorities. I met the family on 8 July 2025 to discuss the case.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on the (a) arrest of the father of Anna Kwok and (b) additional charges laid against Joshua Wong.
The UK is closely monitoring the prosecution of Kwok Yin-sang, father of US-based Anna Kwok, and is deeply concerned by the news of further charges against Joshua Wong who is currently detained in Hong Kong. China's imposition of the National Security Law has significantly eroded the rights and freedoms of Hong Kongers, a situation that has worsened with the enactment of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. We call on Beijing to repeal the National Security Law and end the prosecution of all individuals charged under it.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many flights have been chartered to evacuate UK citizens from Iran.
Flights have been chartered to evacuate UK citizens from Israel. The UK Government has not chartered flights to evacuate UK citizens from Iran. Media reports suggest the Iranian airspace is in the process of re-opening.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of the deployment of Hungarian paramilitary police to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The UK remains steadfast in our commitment to the stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Any security sector support to BiH should focus on upholding peace, stability and the rule of law across the whole of BiH. We engage with all regional partners, including Hungary, to work constructively to strengthen domestic institutions, to use their influence positively with BiH's leaders, and to uphold the constitutional framework in BiH. We urge all partners to refrain from any actions that could undermine sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to request the removal of Hungary from EUFOR following reports of the deployment of Hungarian paramilitary police to Bosnia and Herzegovnia.
Europe's security is critical to our own and we recognise the contribution of the European Union's (EU) military operations and missions to regional security. This includes the EU Force Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR), which the UK recognises as vital for maintaining peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). We continue to support EUFOR's role in upholding the military aspects of the Dayton Agreement, and engage regularly with EUFOR and the EU Delegation in BiH. The composition of EUFOR and the nature of support provided in EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions remains a matter for the EU.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Hungarian counterpart on Hungarian government meetings with Milorad Dodik.
The Foreign Secretary met his Hungarian counterpart in January, and I most recently met Deputy Foreign Minister Levente Magyar on 19 June. In both meetings, the Foreign Secretary and I raised wider European security and emphasised the importance of unity from all partners. Locally, our Embassy in Budapest has raised, with senior officials, the Hungarian government's engagement with the Republika Srpska entity's President Dodik. We encourage de-escalation, the need to uphold peace in accordance with the Dayton Agreement, and support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many British nationals are in Iran; and whether they will be evacuated.
We do not register numbers of British nationals (BN) overseas. We have long advised against all travel to Iran. The UK Government will not be able to evacuate or provide face-to-face assistance to BNs in Iran. If BNs intend to depart Iran across a land border and consider it safe to do so, we advise them to check the travel advice of the country they intend to enter before travelling to the border, including visa requirements. BNs requiring assistance can contact the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 24/7.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to evacuate British (a) diplomatic and (b) consular staff from Iran.
The safety of our staff remains a top priority. That is why we have taken the precautionary measure to temporarily withdraw our UK staff from Iran. The travel advice remains that British nationals should not travel to Iran. The UK Government will not be able to evacuate or provide face-to-face assistance to British Nationals in Iran. Our Embassy continues to operate remotely, and we maintain the ability to message the Iranian system directly and will continue to do so.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether British nationals will be evacuated from Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Support to British nationals remains our top priority and we have worked at pace to ensure those who want to leave Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories can do so, with six flights leaving Israel since 24 June. At this time, no further flights are planned. Commercial flights are now available. This remains a fast-moving and fragile situation, and plans will be kept under constant review.