Every parliamentary written question tabled by Alicia Kearns this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 41–60 of 99 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has settled on the title of Consular Envoy for the new position dealing with complex consular cases and arbitrary detention.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is committed to strengthening support for British Nationals overseas, including through the appointment of an Envoy for complex consular detention cases. Further details will be announced in due course.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the role and responsiblites of the incoming Arbitrary Detention and Complex Consular Cases Envoy have been finalised.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is committed to strengthening support for British Nationals overseas, including through the appointment of an Envoy for complex consular detention cases. Further details will be announced in due course.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress his Department has made on negotiations on Gibraltar-EU relations.
The UK Government is working with the Government of Gibraltar to conclude a UK-EU Treaty in respect of Gibraltar which protects sovereignty and UK military autonomy, and which secures Gibraltar's future prosperity. The Foreign Secretary and I are working side by side with Gibraltar's Chief Minister and are in close and regular contact with our negotiating counterparts. The Foreign Secretary met EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič on 19 May. They reiterated their determination to agree a Treaty. The UK Government is steadfast in its support for Gibraltar and will only agree to terms with which the Government of Gibraltar is content.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the investigation into the killing of three British aid workers in April 2024 by an Israeli drone will conclude.
The strike on the World Central Kitchen convoy killing British citizens John Chapman, James Henderson, and James Kirby was an appalling injustice. In November last year, the Foreign Secretary met with their families and was moved by their dedication to serving others.We continue to press Israel to swiftly conclude the Military Advocate General's consideration of events on 1 April 2024, including determining whether criminal proceedings should be initiated. We expect those responsible to be meaningfully held to account. Israel must ensure lessons are learned to deliver lasting safety improvements for aid workers on the ground.Gaza is the deadliest place for humanitarians. It is completely unacceptable that at least 430 aid workers have been killed since the conflict began.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date a Minister from his Department last discussed the killing of British aid workers by an Israeli drone in April 2024 with their Israeli counterparts.
The Foreign Secretary and I regularly raise the status of Israel's Military Advocate General's consideration of the Israeli strike that killed three British aid workers in April 2024. We continue to press Israel at the highest levels for the Military Advocate General's consideration to be completed swiftly, including determining whether criminal proceedings will be initiated. We expect those responsible to be meaningfully held to account.Last month the Foreign Secretary raised the World Central Kitchen incident and the status of the Military Advocate General's consideration with Israel's Foreign Minister Sa'ar. The Foreign Secretary pressed Minister Sa'ar to provide a response.We will continue to urge Israel to swiftly conclude the Military Advocate Generals' consideration of the incident.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has concluded investigations into how British doctors working with Medical Aid for Palestine were bombed by Israel in January 2024.
We expect Israel to investigate all attacks against humanitarians and medical staff fully and transparently. We also expect that those responsible are meaningfully held to account.Attacks on hospitals and medical facilities are deeply distressing. We remain gravely concerned by the lack of adequate medical care in Gaza; nearly all Gaza's hospitals are damaged or partly destroyed according to the World Health Organisation. We have made clear that this is unacceptable.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when Ministers from his Department last raised the bombing of British doctors working with Medical Aid for Palestine with their Israeli counterparts.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will continue to raise aid worker safety in Gaza with our Israeli counterparts. Last month, the Foreign Secretary drew attention to the deadly situation on the ground for humanitarians with Israel's Foreign Minister Sa'ar. Gaza is the deadliest place to be an aid worker with at least 430 humanitarians killed since the start of the conflict.On 23 April, working alongside France and Germany the UK urged Israel to protect medical personnel and premises in the course of their military operations. They must allow the urgent healthcare needs of the population to be met. More recently on 13 May at the United Nations Security Council, the UK called a meeting on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and expressed outrage at recent attacks on humanitarians and medical staff.Israel must do all they reasonably can to prevent harm to medical personnel and premises in the course of their military operations. Through our engagements, we will continue to press Israel to protect medical staff and premises.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Indian counterpart on Jagtar Singh Johal’s continuing detention following his acquittal 4 March 2025.
The Foreign Secretary has raised Mr Johal's case with his Indian counterpart on several occasions, most recently on 5 March immediately following the acquittal in one of the cases faced by Mr Johal. We continue to make clear to the Government of India that faster progress is needed towards a full resolution of Mr Johal's cases.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has met with the family of Jagtar Singh Johal since his acquittal on 4 March 2025.
The Government remains committed to working for faster progress on Jagtar Singh Johal's case, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continue to provide support to Mr Johal and his family. The Foreign Secretary last met Mr Johal's family on 30 October 2024 and is due to meet them again in early May.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any Cabinet colleagues have asked his Department to delay the China audit.
The China Audit is a comprehensive cross-government process. The timeline is driven by the need for sufficient consultation and analysis, across government and beyond, in order to inform Audit conclusions.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he expects the China audit to be (a) completed and (b) published.
We are carrying out an audit of the UK's interests with China, so we can understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities China poses. This is a comprehensive exercise, which is important to get right. Whilst we have never committed to a specific date, the process will conclude in due course and we intend to share elements of the Audit publicly. Some parts will remain confidential, in order not to compromise UK interests.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if his Department will support the request by over 500,000 Serbian petitioners to the UN for an international investigation into the use of sonic weaponry against protestors by the Serbian police.
The UK consistently advocates for the rights to freedom of expression and assembly, globally. During his recent visit to Serbia, the Foreign Secretary underlined to government interlocutors the importance of protecting and respecting these rights, and of maintaining high standards in policing peaceful demonstrations accordingly.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the implications of the Budapest Memorandum for his policies.
In the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, in return for Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons, Russia committed to "refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine." Russia has clearly breached those commitments. When the war ends Ukraine will need robust security guarantees to ensure Russia is never able to invade again. The UK is ready to play a leading role in accelerating work on security guarantees, as well as further support for Ukraine's military.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will call in the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China following reporting of cash offered by the Chinese Embassy for information on Hong Kong activists living in the UK.
We will not tolerate attempts by foreign powers to intimidate, harass, or harm their critics overseas. Following the issuing of arrest warrants on Christmas Eve, the Foreign Secretary strongly condemned the targeting of Hong Kongers in the UK.Following recent reports, FCDO officials again raised the matter with the Chinese Embassy. The Hong Kong Police's issuing of arrest warrants encourages reckless behaviour on UK soil and damages Hong Kong's reputation.The safety of Hong Kongers in the UK is of upmost importance for the Government. This has been referred to the police who are dealing with this matter.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 31 January 2025 to Question 24486 on Republika Srpska and Serbia: Politics and Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the joint committees between the Republic of Serbia and Republika Srpska legislatures on the (a) sovereignty and (b) territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Efforts to develop regional cooperation, economic integration and inter-connectivity initiatives which raise living standards across the Western Balkans are important.However it is vital that any such initiatives and related structures do not privilege individual groups or violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), or undermine the Dayton Peace Agreement, for which the UK remains steadfast in its support.We urge all political leaders in BiH, Serbia and the wider region to work constructively to strengthen federal institutions in BiH, use their influence positively with Republika Srpska leaders to promote continued adherence to the established constitutional framework in BiH, and to refrain from actions that could undermine this.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his (a) American, (b) European Union and (c) NATO counterparts on the DeepSeek artificial intelligence model.
We maintain regular dialogue with our international partners on all aspects of policy including the emergence of new technologies.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress he has made on the Mass Atrocity Prevention Hub.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) continues to strengthen its capacity dedicated to identifying and responding to atrocity risks, drawing on expertise across government departments and working with civil society, academia, bilateral partners, and multilateral organisations.This includes progress on strengthening global early warning and country risk assessments, expanding programmes with partner organisations and building the FCDO network's capabilities to prevent atrocities through technical training, central guidance and capturing learning. We will continue to invest in ways to improve policy and practical interventions to act earlier to prevent atrocities.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to provide an answer to Question 24486 on Republika Srpska and Serbia: Politics and Government, tabled on 16 January 2025.
The answer to this written parliamentary question was published on 31 January.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what reason the letter from him and the Secretary of State for the Home Department to the Planning Inspector in relation to the planning and listed building consent applications by the Chinese Embassy in the UK for the redevelopment of the Royal Mint Court site in Tower Hamlets is dated 14 January 2024.
It was human error that caused the joint Foreign Secretary/Home Secretary letter to the Planning Inspector to be dated 14 January 2024. The letter was sent to the inquiry on 14 January 2025.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will publicly call for the release of Ryan Cornelius.
I appreciate and acknowledge the significant distress caused to Mr Cornelius and his family by his continued detention. This Government remains committed to supporting Mr Cornelius' clemency application on compassionate grounds. We will ensure Mr Cornelius' case continues to be raised with UAE authorities at the appropriate level by both Ministers and officials.