Written questions by Murrison.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has discussed the humanitarian situation in the Tindouf camps with her Algerian counterpart.

The UK is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide, including in Western Sahara and the Tindouf refugee camps. I discussed the political and humanitarian implications of the Western Sahara conflict with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf during my visit to Algeria in October 2025. Our embassy in Algiers also regularly discusses the humanitarian situation with representatives of Algeria and the United Nations, as well as visiting the camps in Tindouf, most recently in November 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the UK's 1 June 2025 update on its position on the Moroccan Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara.

The UK wants to see a lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict. We assess that our endorsement of Morocco's autonomy plan - as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting solution - supports that objective. It is for this reason that we also welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted on 31 October, extending the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) mandate for 12 months. We continue to engage with all relevant parties in support of the UN-led process to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution, based on compromise, which conforms with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including the principle of respect for self-determination.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department's negotiations with the Mauritian Government on control of the Chagos Islands made reference to UNCLOS Article 298.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 10 February in response to Question 110708.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will publish Treasury Counsel's advice on the potential impact of Article 298 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on potential legal challenges to UK sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 10 February in response to Question 110708.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what international dispute resolution mechanisms relating to Diego Garcia is the UK party to; and when they came into force.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 10 February in response to Question 110708.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government plans to reopen (a) military and (b) non-military government training opportunities to Israelis following the ceasefire in Gaza.

The UK has a long history of providing assistance to other nations in the security and justice fields and continues to do so around the world. UK training courses promote British values, including human rights, democracy, and compliance with international humanitarian law.The Ministry of Defence decided to pause future Israeli participation on UK training and education courses until the situation in Gaza and the West Bank had been satisfactorily addressed. Since the ceasefire we have continued to monitor the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and the Government will keep this decision under review.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Prime Minister's oral contributions during Prime Minister's Questions on 10 September 2025, Official Report, if she will publish (a) the procedure followed for the appointment of Ambassadors and High Commissioners that are not career diplomats, (b) details of the independent element and (c) a list of the due diligence measures that are applied in such cases.

All appointees for Ambassador and High Commissioner roles are subject to the same standard of background and vetting procedures. Pre-posting processes, including security vetting, are conducted for each appointment. We do not comment on the details of individual clearances or national security as a matter of course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate he has made of the impact of unregistered and uninsured vessels on the value of sanctions against the Russian Federation that have been evaded.

Our oil-related sanctions are having a significant impact, with Russia forced to shoulder a 25% reduction in oil and gas revenues from January to October 2024, compared to the same period in 2022. Where Russia has sought to circumvent those sanctions, we have taken robust action. We have now sanctioned 93 shadow fleet oil tankers; and we are exposing malign maritime practices by requesting proof of insurance from suspected shadow vessels passing through the English Channel - an approach partners along the Baltic route will now replicate. We continue to step up our efforts, working closely with partners, to ensure our sanctions' effectiveness and impact.