Written questions by Rosindell.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she had with her US counterparts on the potential impact of arms sales to Taiwan on that country's security and autonomy prior to the recent US-China summit.

UK ministers and officials discuss a wide range of issues with their US counterparts on a regular basis.The UK continues to believe that the Taiwan issue should be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion. The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, which is important for regional and global prosperity.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Prime Minister has recently raised Taiwan’s security with the President of the United States.

UK ministers and officials discuss a wide range of issues with their US counterparts on a regular basis.The UK continues to believe that the Taiwan issue should be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion. The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, which is important for regional and global prosperity.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Written Statement of 29 April 2026 on Syria, HCWS1552, what recent discussions her Department has had with the Syrian Government, the Syrian Democratic Forces and international partners on preserving evidence relating to Daesh crimes against Yazidis and other religious minorities following the closure of al-Hol camp.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 12 February in response to Question HL13863. In my meeting with President Al Sharaa and Foreign Minister Al Shaibani on 31 March, I pressed UK concerns on human rights and securing justice for all Syrians. The Attorney General also offered UK support on transitional justice and accountability for crimes committed during Syria's civil war and the actions of the brutal Assad regime.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans she has to expand cooperation on delivering global energy security with the United Arab Emirates.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to repeal the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 May in response to Questions 724 and 725.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans she has to (a) review and (b) revoke the privileges and immunities currently afforded to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London under the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 May in response to Questions 724 and 725.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Statement: FCDO summons Chinese Ambassador, published on 9 May 2026, whether the People's Republic of China's Ambassador to the UK was formally summoned and demarched by her personally or by her Department's officials.

On the Foreign Secretary's instruction, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office senior officials summoned the Chinese Ambassador on 8 May, as is standard practice. Officials made clear that any attempts by foreign states to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK are unacceptable. It was made clear that the UK Government will continue to use the full range of tools available to protect our security and hold China to account for actions which undermine our safety and democratic values.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans she has to support alternative methods for nighttime medical evacuation from Montserrat following the decision of the Governor of Montserrat to disallow fixed wing aircraft night medevac operations.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answers he was previously provided on these issues on 6 November and 1 December 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help (a) reduce the cost of air access to Montserrat and (b) support its transition away from UK Government funding dependence.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answers he was previously provided on these issues on 6 November and 1 December 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the development needs of the Overseas Territories have first call on the UK’s Official Development Assistance programme.

The UK remains committed to meeting the reasonable needs of the Overseas Territories (OTs) where financial self-sufficiency is not possible. As such, the OTs continue to have the first call on Official Development Assistance to facilitate sustainable economic growth and development.We have recently informed Montserrat of their new allocation, and I held a positive and constructive call with Premier Meade on 25 March.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether there is a limit to the Official Development Assistance available to Montserrat.

The UK remains committed to meeting the reasonable needs of the Overseas Territories (OTs) where financial self-sufficiency is not possible. As such, the OTs continue to have the first call on Official Development Assistance to facilitate sustainable economic growth and development.We have recently informed Montserrat of their new allocation, and I held a positive and constructive call with Premier Meade on 25 March.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any patients in Montserrat who are (a) naturalised and (b) full British citizens and must travel to the United Kingdom for specialist treatment unavailable locally but fall outside the NHS–Montserrat referral scheme have been (i) denied (A) accommodation and (B) welfare support and (ii) advised to return to Montserrat.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answers he was previously provided on these issues on 6 November and 1 December 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support access to legal assistance for Montserratian citizens residing in Montserrat, in the context of Article 73 of the United Nations Charter.

The UK fulfils its responsibilities under Article 73 of the United Nations Charter to promote the political, economic, social, and educational advancement of the Overseas Territories. As part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's capital allocation to Montserrat, we are investing in green energy, including solar and resilience works, as well appropriate and safe social housing.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has had discussions with the Government of Montserrat on the adequacy of levels of education funding in Montserrat; and if she will make an assessment of whether funding levels are adequate to meet the educational needs and aspirations of the Government and people of Montserrat.

As part of the UK's ongoing support to Montserrat, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides annual Budget Support to cover the provision of key services, including education. FCDO officials work with the Government of Montserrat (GoM) on annual budget allocations, but ultimately it is for GoM to determine those allocations, including what goes to the Education Ministry. Over the last five years the FCDO has provided the following:FY 25/26£37mFY 24/25£31.2mFY 23/24£30.2mFY 22/23£24.1mFY 21/22£23.6m

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to improve emergency medical evacuation and overseas treatment on Montserrat.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answers he was previously provided on these issues on 6 November and 1 December 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much funding the United Kingdom Government has provided to support primary and secondary education in Montserrat in each of the last five years.

As part of the UK's ongoing support to Montserrat, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides annual Budget Support to cover the provision of key services, including education. FCDO officials work with the Government of Montserrat (GoM) on annual budget allocations, but ultimately it is for GoM to determine those allocations, including what goes to the Education Ministry. Over the last five years the FCDO has provided the following:FY 25/26£37mFY 24/25£31.2mFY 23/24£30.2mFY 22/23£24.1mFY 21/22£23.6m

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to meet obligations under Article 73 of the UN Charter in respect of the British Overseas Territories; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) the costs of healthcare, fuel and electricity, (b) quality of infrastructure and (c) levels of hurricane-resilient housing in Montserrat on people in that territory.

The UK fulfils its responsibilities under Article 73 of the United Nations Charter to promote the political, economic, social, and educational advancement of the Overseas Territories. As part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's capital allocation to Montserrat, we are investing in green energy, including solar and resilience works, as well appropriate and safe social housing.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of maritime safety, search and rescue capability, and maritime security resources available to the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat; and if she will take steps to ensure that the territory retains an appropriately equipped maritime patrol and rescue vessel in order to meet the UK’s constitutional responsibilities for the security and good governance of the territory and its obligations under international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, to protect life at sea.

Since 2016 the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has established a programme of activities to improve Montserrat's capacity to meet its international maritime safety and search and rescue (SAR) obligations. Montserrat has three UK-funded multipurpose vessels including two new fast police patrol boats provided by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office which improve the Royal Montserrat Police Service's capability to respond to maritime threats more efficiently and effectively, as well as fulfilling international obligations in relation to search and rescue.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of mechanisms for parliamentary scrutiny of Overseas Territories.

Mechanisms for parliamentary scrutiny are a matter for the House.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she is taking to support democratic participation in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided on 10 March 2026 in response to Question 117243.