Written questions by Rosindell.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help protect Christians from persecution in Ghana.

The UK champions freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad; no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We work to uphold the right to FoRB through our position at the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora and in our important bilateral work. Religious beliefs and practices permeate all aspects of Ghanaian life and Ghana's Constitution provides a framework which guarantees the liberty for all citizens to be free to believe and manifest any religious faith. FCDO is not aware of any cases of Christian persecution in Ghana.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) ensure good relations with countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council and (b) encourage investment from such countries in the UK economy.

The UK's partnerships with the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are historic and enduring. These are underpinned by shared prosperity, security interests and deep people-to-people links. This government has committed to deepening cooperation with the Gulf. Both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have had early engagement with all six of their Gulf counterparts.We have resumed negotiations on the UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement and are working closely with Gulf partners to boost trade and investment ties.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has met with the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain since taking up his position.

The Foreign Secretary regularly meets Ambassadors and High Commissioners to the United Kingdom. On 10 September the Foreign Secretary hosted a reception for the London Diplomatic Corps, which the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, attended.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps he has taken with his Nigerian Counterpart to promote religious freedom in that country.

The UK champions freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We work to uphold the right to FoRB through our position at the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora and bilaterally in Nigeria. The UK Government remains committed to supporting Nigeria to address ongoing security challenges including violent extremism and intercommunal violence, which continue to impinge on the rights of Nigerians to FoRB. Our UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership continues to engage with a range of stakeholders to address these complex issues.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle violence against women and girls in conflict zones.

FCDO's work on the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative continues to be a priority. In addition, the UK is a founding member of the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies, where we advocate for more effective action to tackle violence in conflict zones. FCDO's What Works to Prevent Violence programme is supporting women's rights organisations to prevent Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in conflict zones, for example in Somalia, and to expand the evidence on what works. Tackling violence in conflict zones was an FCDO priority at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum, where we announced £2 million new funding to prevent GBV in conflict and crises.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help protect political prisoners in Azerbaijan in the period (a) before, (b) during and (c) after COP29.

The UK Government has consistently urged the Azerbaijani authorities, including ahead of COP29, to ensure that those in detention are provided safe conditions and treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity of the human person, in line with international human rights law. We encourage the authorities to guarantee those in detention are also afforded a fair trial, in accordance with Azerbaijan's international obligations and commitments. We raised our human rights concerns during Azerbaijan's Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in November 2023, and British Embassy Baku regularly raises these issues with the Azerbaijani authorities at senior levels.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Azerbaijani counterpart on meeting international human rights standards prior to COP29.

The UK Government regularly raises human rights obligations and commitments with the Azerbaijani authorities, as well as discussing such matters with international counterparts. Along with our international partners, we continue to urge Azerbaijan to improve human rights protections for all its citizens; Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29 in November provides the country with an opportunity to demonstrate meaningful action in this regard. We raised our human rights concerns during Azerbaijan's Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in November 2023, and British Embassy Baku regularly raises with the Azerbaijani authorities at senior levels.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has held recent discussions with his Libyan counterpart on providing compensation to (a) victims and (b) victims’ families of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism.

The UK Government reiterates its sympathy for UK victims of Qaddafi-sponsored terrorism, and indeed all victims of the Troubles. The UK's position with regards to victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism is that it is the responsibility of the Libyan Government to provide compensation. The UK Government cannot lawfully use frozen Libyan assets to provide compensation to victims as doing so would break international law and our obligations as members of the UN. We will continue to call for Libyan authorities to address the Libyan State's historic responsibility for the Qaddafi regime' support for the IRA.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made recent representations to his Azerbaijani counterpart on releasing Armenian political prisoners before COP29.

The UK Government is aware of the detention of Ruben Vardanyan and other ethnic Armenians as a result of September 2023's military action in Nagorno-Karabakh. We have consistently urged the Azerbaijani authorities, including ahead of COP29, to ensure that those in detention are afforded a fair trial and are provided safe conditions, in accordance with Azerbaijan's international obligations and commitments. We have been consistent in calling for the release of all remaining prisoners of war, and the return of the remains of the deceased, from the conflicts between Armenia and Azerbaijan. British Embassy Baku regularly raises our concerns with the Azerbaijani authorities at senior levels.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will hold discussions with his international counterparts on Azerbaijan’s human rights record in the context of COP29.

The UK Government regularly raises human rights obligations and commitments with the Azerbaijani authorities, as well as discussing such matters with international counterparts. Along with our international partners, we continue to urge Azerbaijan to improve human rights protections for all its citizens; Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29 in November provides the country with an opportunity to demonstrate meaningful action in this regard. We raised our human rights concerns during Azerbaijan's Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in November 2023, and British Embassy Baku regularly raises with the Azerbaijani authorities at senior levels.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to visit the Holy See.

We continue to engage the Holy See regularly both bilaterally and in multilateral fora. The British Embassy to the Holy See supports ministerial and senior official visits from across the government including by Lord Khan, Minister for Faith, Communities and Resettlement, on 27-28 August. On 10 September the Foreign Secretary hosted a reception for the London Diplomatic Corps, which the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, attended. I hope to visit the Holy See as soon as diaries allow.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Azerbaijani counterpart on the detention of (a) Ruben Vardanyan and (b) Armenian political prisoners in Baku.

The UK Government is aware of the detention of Ruben Vardanyan and other ethnic Armenians as a result of September 2023's military action in Nagorno-Karabakh. We have consistently urged the Azerbaijani authorities, including ahead of COP29, to ensure that those in detention are afforded a fair trial and are provided safe conditions, in accordance with Azerbaijan's international obligations and commitments. We have been consistent in calling for the release of all remaining prisoners of war, and the return of the remains of the deceased, from the conflicts between Armenia and Azerbaijan. British Embassy Baku regularly raises our concerns with the Azerbaijani authorities at senior levels.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Mauritian counterpart on the British Indian Ocean Territory.

The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary met the Mauritian Prime Minister on 23 July to discuss the continuation of negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory / Chagos Archipelago.On 3 October the UK and Mauritius reached a political agreement on the sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) / Chagos Archipelago. This agreement secures the effective operation of the vital UK-US military base on Diego Garcia well into the next century. Following Mauritian elections, the Government will move towards Treaty signature and ratification.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Spanish counterpart on Gibraltar.

The Foreign Secretary met his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares, in London on 16 September. They covered the full spectrum of our bilateral relationship and looked ahead to a four-way ministerial meeting in Brussels on 19 September to discuss the UK-EU treaty on Gibraltar. I joined the Foreign Secretary at that meeting, with Foreign Minister Albares, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič, and the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo. The talks were constructive and productive. Ministers reiterated their commitment to finalising a Treaty as soon as possible and agreed to remain in constant contact. I met my Spanish counterpart, State Secretary Fernando Sampedro, at that meeting, and again on 10 October. We continue to be in regular contact throughout the negotiations. The Government will only agree to terms that the Government of Gibraltar is content with, and that safeguard sovereignty and the autonomy of the UK military facilities.