Every parliamentary written question tabled by Andrew Rosindell this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 201–220 of 394 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if his Department will make provision to ensure that the current availability of visitation by UK Chagossians to their ancestral islands will continue after any transfer of sovereignty.
I refer the Hon Member to the reply to his previous question 59998.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will conduct a consultation with Chagossians on the (a) restoration of the right of (i) abode and (ii) resettlement, (b) loss of (A) visitation permissions and (B) practical assistance by the UK and (c) fishing and natural resources.
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 trust fund to benefit Chagossians; the ability Mauritius will have, for the first time, to resettle the islands other than Diego Garcia (in contrast to the 2016 Conservative Government that decided that a programme of resettlement on the Archipelago would not be taken forward by the UK); 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 engages with Chagossians 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 on future programmes.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) Chagossians resident in the UK and (b) all other Chagossians have (i) rights of abode, (ii) resettlement, (iii) return and (iv) other rights derived from the British Indian Ocean Territory (Constitution) Order 2004 for the outer islands.
I refer the Hon member to the reply to his previous PQ 59998.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Chagossian people will be assured of their right of abode within the British Indian Ocean Territory before transfer of sovereignty.
I refer the Hon Member to the reply given to his previous question 59998.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to provide rights of (a) abode, (b) resettlement and (c) return to Chagossians in the context of the British Indian Ocean Territory (Constitution) Order 2004.
I refer the Hon Member to the reply given to his previous question 59998.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has met the Chief Executive of Hong Kong since taking office.
The Foreign Secretary has not met the Chief Executive of Hong Kong since taking office. Any proposed visits will be made public as and when relevant.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment has his Department made of the effect of the Hong Kong National Security Law on the (a) safety and (b) rights of (i) British Nationals (Overseas) passport holders and (ii) their families in (A) cases of transnational repression targeting relatives of exiled activists and (B) other matters.
China's imposition of the National Security Law on Hong Kong has seen opposition stifled and dissent criminalised. It has significantly eroded the rights and freedoms of Hong Kongers. This government has consistently called on Beijing to repeal the National Security Law, including its extraterritorial reach. The UK is clear that any attempts by foreign Governments to coerce, intimidate or harm critics overseas, are unacceptable. In June, myself and the Security Minister met those recently targeted by Hong Kong police with arrest warrants.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Hong Kong authorities on the reported prosecution of Kwok Yin-sang, the father of a British National (Overseas) passport holder in exile Anna Kwok, in connection with her pro-democracy advocacy abroad.
The UK is closely monitoring the prosecution of Kwok Yin-sang, father of Anna Kwok. 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, including its extraterritorial reach.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made recent representations to his counterpart in (a) Hong Kong and (b) China on the wellbeing of wanted people of Hong Kong origin residing in the UK.
The Foreign Secretary spoke to his counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in April and raised the impact of transnational repression on Hong Kongers residing in the UK. The Foreign Secretary personally met those recently targeted by the Hong Kong police with arrest warrants and bounties in January.The UK is clear that any attempts by foreign Governments to coerce, intimidate or harm critics overseas, are unacceptable. This Government is deeply committed to supporting all members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has met with Hong Kong pro-democracy activists since 4 July 2024.
The Foreign Secretary met Hong Kong pro-democracy activists, recently targeted by the Hong Kong police with arrest warrants and bounties, in January.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in the Republic of Ireland on recent events in Ballymena.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland discussed this with the Tánaiste on 12 June.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Colombian counterpart on their offer to host a UK technical delegation to assess migration and border control improvements.
The Minister for International Development, Latin America and Caribbean has discussed migration and border control issues with her Colombian counterparts, including the potential for a technical visit from the UK to Colombia. We also regularly engage on these issues with the Colombian Government through our Embassy in Bogotá. Tackling irregular migration into the UK remains our top priority. The UK Government keeps its visa and immigration system under constant review given our commitment to border security.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to implement the recommendations of the report by the Eminent Persons Group entitled A Commonwealth of the People – Time for Urgent Reform, published in October 2011.
The 2011 Eminent Persons' report made a valuable contribution to the debate on Commonwealth reform. A number of recommendations were adopted, including the establishment of the Commonwealth Charter, which was signed by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 11 March 2013 and reaffirmed by His Majesty the King on 13 March 2023. The role of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group was also strengthened as a consequence of the Eminent Persons' report recommendations. Further reforms were adopted at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali in 2022. The UK remains a strong proponent of Commonwealth reform and fully supports the reform agenda of the Commonwealth Secretary-General.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the Commonwealth’s role in advancing the UK’s Global Britain strategy post-Brexit.
The Commonwealth will continue to be an ever-important network for the UK, particularly in these challenging geopolitical times. The UK will work with Commonwealth members to boost economic growth, tackle the climate and nature crisis and create opportunities for future generations. The Commonwealth presents a particularly significant opportunity for future UK economic growth, as it is home to some of our biggest trading partners, such as India, Canada and South Africa, as well as six of the world's ten fastest-growing economies.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the policy paper entitled UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, published on 19 May 2025, whether he plans to incorporate the proposed security and defence partnership with the EU into the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on UK compliance with EU (a) foreign and (b) defence policy in the context of trade restrictions.
A broad and ambitious Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) was adopted at the UK - EU Summit on the 19 May, stemming from a shared commitment to safeguard European security and support Ukraine. There are no plans to bring the SDP under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to promote (a) digital connectivity and (b) internet access in (i) small island development states and (ii) other nations in the Commonwealth.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office supports the inclusive, responsible, and sustainable digital transformation of partner countries.Our Digital Development Strategy 2024-2030 aims to support last-mile connectivity, to help close the digital divide in a world where 2.6 billion people are still offline.Through our Digital Access Programme, we catalyse sustainable, scalable technology and business models that enhance access to inclusive and affordable Internet connectivity.We work with telecoms regulators in developing countries, facilitating peer learning with Ofcom, and sharing approaches to spectrum management that enable internet service providers to serve remote low-income areas.To drive safe and productive use of digital connectivity, we support digital skills and cyber-hygiene awareness, with a focus on underserved communities and marginalised groups, for example women and persons living with disabilities.The Digital Access Programme has sustainably improved the digital inclusion of over 15 million people, within 5,000 communities across 5 countries, including 3 Commonwealth members: Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.In Indonesia, we supported 'community networks' that use local recyclable materials and renewable energy for local internet infrastructure; and we're sharing this knowledge through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and with the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific.Working with the Commonwealth Telecoms Organisation we are engaging with its 33 member states (including SIDS) to support policies, strategies, and regulations that create a conducive environment for inclusive connectivity and affordable digital access.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information his Department holds on the status of Jesús Armas.
The UK strongly condemns the ongoing repression against civil society and members of the opposition in Venezuela. We remain gravely concerned about reports of human rights abuses and violations, including arbitrary arrests and detentions. Over 900 Venezuelans remain arbitrarily detained, including Jesús Armas whose whereabouts remain unknown.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 50066 on Venezuela: Human Rights and Politics and Government, whether he plans to meet UK-based civil society organisations supporting democracy in Venezuela.
The UK remains gravely concerned about Venezuela's democratic future. The UK has been clear that Nicolas Maduro's claim to power is fraudulent and that the outcome of the presidential elections on 28 July 2024 was neither free nor fair. The UK Government will continue to support the restoration of democracy to Venezuela, which is essential for the well-being of the country and its people. We are in regular contact with international partners, civil society and political figures towards this end. The UK continues to pay testament to the millions of Venezuelans who turned out to vote on 28 July 2024.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to send election monitors to monitor the presidential election in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in October 2025.
In line with the rest of the international community except Turkey, the UK does not recognise the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus".The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has no plans to send election monitors to monitor the "election" taking place in the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in October 2025.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his (a) counterpart in Venezuela and (b) the Venezuelan Ambassador in London on Jesús Armas.
Protecting human rights in Venezuela is a priority for the UK and we have repeatedly called for the immediate and unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained, including at the Human Rights Council (HRC) on 18 March. On 26 May the Minister of State for International Development, Latin America and Caribbean expressed the UK's deep concern about continuing repression and arbitrary detentions in Venezuela. The UK was also party to the G7 Foreign Ministers' statements of 24 September and 26 November 2024 calling for all unjustly detained political prisoners to be released. The UK will continue to work with international partners to achieve a peaceful solution in Venezuela and for the immediate and unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained.