Written questions by Rosindell.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Syrian Interim Government on the commitment to (a) publish a report on the reported killings of (i) Christians and (ii) Alawites in Latakia Governorate and (b) bring those responsible to justice.

We continue to press the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. We welcomed President Al-Sharaa's establishment of a Fact-Finding Committee to investigate the sectarian violence in the coastal regions in March 2025, and we look forward to its conclusions. We also welcome the swift and decisive action taken in response to the terrorist attack against Mar Elias church, including the tasking of specialist teams to investigate the incident.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support transparent investigations into the (a) recent attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus, (b) reported killings of Christians and Alawites in Latakia Governorate in March 2025 and (c) reported violence against the Druze community in southern Damascus in May 2025.

We continue to press the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. We welcomed President Al-Sharaa's establishment of a Fact-Finding Committee to investigate the sectarian violence in the coastal regions in March 2025, and we look forward to its conclusions. We also welcome the swift and decisive action taken in response to the terrorist attack against Mar Elias church, including the tasking of specialist teams to investigate the incident.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if his Department will take steps to ensure that the current availability of visitation by UK Chagossians to their ancestral islands can continue after any transfer of sovereignty.

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer of 23 June 2025 to question 59998.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies on the Chagos Archipelago of the agreement between France and Mauritius on Tromelin Island.

The negotiations between the UK and Mauritius were to secure the future of the strategically critical UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. The agreement between France and Mauritius concerning Tromelin Island is a separate matter.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his French counterpart on lessons learned from the France–Mauritius negotiations over Tromelin Island in the context of UK policy on the Chagos Archipelago.

The negotiations between the UK and Mauritius were to secure the future of the strategically critical UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. The agreement between France and Mauritius concerning Tromelin Island is a separate matter.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to safeguard the (a) status and (b) interests of Chagossians in relation to the British Indian Ocean Territory.

I refer the Hon Member to the reply to his question 59998.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if it is his departments policy that Chagossian people must be assured of their right of abode within the British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Islands) before any transfer of sovereignty.

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer of 25 June 2025 to question 59999.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the France–Mauritius sovereignty dispute over Tromelin Island on the UK’s negotiations with Mauritius over the Chagos Archipelago.

The negotiations between the UK and Mauritius were to secure the future of the strategically critical UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. The agreement between France and Mauritius concerning Tromelin Island is a separate matter.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has received representations from representatives of Pacific Island nations on the prohibition of Kava in the UK.

The UK prohibition is raised occasionally with our High Commissioners in the Pacific and by some Pacific Island High Commissions in London.In each case, we remind our Pacific partners about the evidence and procedures that are required to review the ban.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to agree legally binding protections for Chagossian cultural and historical locations.

We recognise the importance of the islands to Chagossians and have worked to ensure the agreement reflects this. We will increase our support to Chagossians , including through: the establishment of a £40 million fund to benefit Chagossians; the ability Mauritius will have, for the first time, to resettle the islands other than Diego Garcia; and work with Mauritius to start a new programme of visits for Chagossians to the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. We have also maintained the current route to British citizenship for Chagossians, so all Chagossians will remain eligible and free to make their home in the UK. The UK Government regularly meets Chagossian groups and representatives at both official and Ministerial levels and a new 'Contact Group' will facilitate dialogue between the Chagossian community and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on future programmes. This work may include discussions and support related to heritage, history and culture subject to further engagement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his Syrian counterpart on ensuring that survivors of Syria’s detention systems have access to (a) justice, (b) reparations and (c) rehabilitation.

The UK has long condemned the gross human rights violations committed by the Assad regime, including those in Syria's detention systems. We support the Syrian Government in establishing Syrian-led processes, such as the National Commissions on Transitional Justice and Missing Persons. We have urged the Syrian Government to engage collaboratively with civil society and the UN to ensure these are inclusive, comprehensive and transparent. During the Foreign Secretary's meeting with President al Sharaa in Damascus on 5 July, he raised the importance of accountability and transitional justice for a sustainable political transition, and offered UK support.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2025 to Question 60823 on Iran: Israel, whether he has met Reza Pahlavi; and whether he plans to.

The Foreign Secretary engages with a wide range of interlocutors on Iran, and most recently spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi on 26 June. The Foreign Secretary has not met Reza Pahlavi since taking up his role and does not plan to meet him. We believe it is for the Iranian people to decide the future of Iran.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his Syrian counterpart on ensuring that people responsible for (a) torture and (b) other human rights violations against survivors of Syria’s detention systems are (i) properly investigated and (ii) held accountable.

The UK has long condemned the gross human rights violations committed by the Assad regime, including those in Syria's detention systems. We support the Syrian Government in establishing Syrian-led processes, such as the National Commissions on Transitional Justice and Missing Persons. We have urged the Syrian Government to engage collaboratively with civil societies and the UN to ensure these are inclusive, comprehensive and transparent. During the Foreign Secretary's meeting with President al Sharaa in Damascus on 5 July, he raised the importance of accountability and transitional justice for a sustainable political transition, and offered UK support.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 58607 on Saint Helena: Politics and Government, how many of those constitutions include a provision for special responsibility for finance being vested in the Governor; and for what reason such wording is retained in the Constitution of Saint Helena in the context of its ministerial system of government.

Each Overseas Territory's constitution is unique. In relation to the 2021 amendment to the Constitution of Saint Helena, the Governor, in concert with the Legislative Council, commissioned an independent review of governance arrangements by the Westminster Foundation of Democracy. The findings are now with the Legislative Council for consideration and to determine if further constitutional amendment is required.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to make representations to Reza Pahlavi on the conflict between Iran and Israel.

The Foreign Secretary has already spoken to his Israeli, American, and Iranian counterparts and will continue to call for restraint and for all parties to step back. Now is the time for restrain, calm and a return to diplomacy. Our priority is stability in the Middle East. We are clear that a widening of this conflict is in nobody's interests, and that immediate de-escalation is vital for both regional stability and global security.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 June 2025 to Question 54687 on St Helena: Bank Services and Financial Services, which of the areas set out will help support Saint Helena to provide (a) financial and (b) banking services to non-residents; and whether it is his policy to encourage the provision of such services, in the context of the steps taken by the Saint Helena government to become economically self-sufficient.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) continues to support the St Helena Government to help strengthen its financial and banking sectors. This includes assistance to modernise financial infrastructure, enhance regulatory frameworks, and ensure compliance with international standards.The provision of banking and financial services to non-residents is a matter for the St Helena Government. UK Government support has been designed to help St Helena ensure any expansion of services is carefully managed to mitigate reputational and financial crime risks. The FCDO remains engaged with the St Helena Government and the St Helena Financial Services Regulatory Authority to explore opportunities that support the goal of greater economic self-sufficiency, including through the responsible development of its financial services sector.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what changes he plans to make to the British Indian Ocean Territory (Constitution) Order 2004 following the Treaty with Mauritius.

Following entry into force of the Treaty, Mauritius will be sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago and the British Indian Ocean Territory will no longer exist. The Government will bring forward a Bill as soon as parliamentary time allows, which will make provision inter alia for the ongoing governance of Diego Garcia.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether it his Departments policy to permit the Chagossian people a say over their self-determination.

These negotiations were necessarily between the UK and Mauritius. We continue to engage with Chagossian communities. The Foreign Secretary and I met groups on 22 May 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department defines the Chagossian people as a distinct racial group of shared ethnic and cultural origin who are entitled to (a) recognition, (b) consideration and (c) treatment as such.

The UK government provides a range of support to people who were born on the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) / Chagos Archipelago and their descendants. The government has also maintained the current route to British citizenship for Chagossians until it expires in 23 Nov 2027.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make provision for legally binding agreement protections for Chagossian (a) cultural and (b) historical locations following implementation of the agreement with Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territory.

I refer the Hon Member to the reply given to his previous question 59998.