Written questions by Rosindell.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on consumer electricity prices in Montserrat of proposals to review and re-engineer the island’s energy grid.

The UK is committed to meeting the reasonable assistance needs of Montserrat. Much of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funding allocated to Montserrat is used to support major infrastructure projects and economic development, such as the construction of a new hospital, a new air traffic control tower, and supporting green energy transition including geothermal testing. The FCDO work in partnership with Government of Montserrat (GoM) and the Governor's Office to ensure all proposals are assessed in accordance with FCDO and GoM rules and procedures.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the her Department has been consulted on proposals submitted to the Government of Montserrat on the development of geothermal energy capacity linked to digital infrastructure projects; and if he will place in the Library any correspondence or assessments relating to those proposals.

The UK is committed to meeting the reasonable assistance needs of Montserrat. Much of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funding allocated to Montserrat is used to support major infrastructure projects and economic development, such as the construction of a new hospital, a new air traffic control tower, and supporting green energy transition including geothermal testing. The FCDO work in partnership with Government of Montserrat (GoM) and the Governor's Office to ensure all proposals are assessed in accordance with FCDO and GoM rules and procedures.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the written answer of 15 January 2025 to Question 104147, what steps she is taking to help ensure transparency and value for money in support of the Howard Hamilton International Airport redevelopment project following the cancellation of the PPP procurement process.

The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Government is responsible for devolved matters, including the Howard Hamilton International Airport redevelopment. Officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are in close contact with TCI Government to understand their decision and stand ready to offer our support to ensure value for money and transparent procurement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 87235 on Yemen: Christianity, what (a) outcomes and (b) policy developments have resulted from the UK’s engagement with (i) the United Nations and (ii) international partners on the protection of Christian minority communities in Yemen, including in areas under Houthi control.

The UK remains firmly committed to protecting freedom of religion or belief in Yemen, including for Christian minority communities. Through the UN Security Council and the Human Rights Council, we continue to raise concerns about the treatment of minorities in Yemen and emphasise the need for an inclusive peace process, to ensure that all communities, including religious minorities, are protected. These challenges are complex and long‑standing, but we will continue to press for progress alongside our international partners.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her Chinese counterpart on the civil war in Burma.

The UK continues to use its penholder role at the UN Security Council (UNSC) to shine a spotlight on the Myanmar crisis, and condemn airstrikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure, in meetings attended by China and other Security Council members. Details of the UNSC meeting convened by the UK on 22 December 2025 can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/elections-under-the-current-circumstances-in-myanmar-risk-provoking-further-violence-uk-statement-on-myanmar

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing educational scholarships for citizens of the British Overseas Territories.

The Chevening Scholarships programme (established 1983) and the Commonwealth Scholarships programme (established 1959) are available to citizens from the Overseas Territories. Further information on the programmes including how to apply is available here: https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/ and https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK and Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council 2025: communiqué, published November 2025 what steps she has taken to tackle underinvestment in water supply and health services in Anguilla.

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the Blue Belt Programme Expedition to the Caribbean.

The Blue Belt Beyond the Reef Expedition (13 January-28 February) is a pioneering survey of the largely unexplored offshore waters of Anguilla, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Cayman Islands. A full assessment of findings will follow the conclusion of the survey and subsequent data analysis.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will provide an update on the status of Anguilla House, the representatives office for the Government of Anguilla in the UK.

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made in trends in the levels of sargassum seaweed influxes in Anguilla.

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness Strategic Mapping Workshop on Violence Prevention in Anguilla.

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness actions taken by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) and UK Export Finance's to promote tourism and connections in Anguilla.

UK Export Finance (UKEF) and the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) participated in the 2025 Joint Ministerial Council, as part of discussions on economic growth. Overseas Territory officials also attended UKEF's recent UK Trade and Export Forum, strengthening understanding of financing tools for tourism and wider economic projects. My officials continue to work closely with UKEF to support Overseas Territories' sustainable economic development, and with the CWEIC to expand Overseas Territories' commercial links with Commonwealth partners.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress she has made on delivering the £500,000 grant to Anguilla's water infrastructure.

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Government of Anguilla on the proposed Port Nimara superyacht marina.

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will provide an assessment of the effectiveness of the Atlantic Child Advocacy Alliance.

I refer the Hon. Member to the November 2025 Joint Ministerial Council Communique. Overseas Territories are being supported to define their local needs so that tailored child advocacy support can be offered.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress work on a draft bill on Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law on British sovereign interests in the Antarctic.

All Antarctic Treaty Parties have a responsibility to ensure their activities in Antarctica are undertaken in accordance with the Antarctic Treaty and its Environmental Protocol.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the resilience of British Antarctic Territory infrastructure and logistics, including the sole dependency on HMS Protector.

All the issues raised by the Hon Member, including the protection of biosecurity, the prohibition of non-native species, and the impact of tourism, are important for the UK Government and are reflected in the objectives of our UK Antarctic Strategy published on 1 December 2025. We discuss and monitor these issues regularly alongside the international partners who share our interests in Antarctica, and we have invested heavily in the modern scientific research capabilities that help us to keep these issues under review.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK Antarctic Strategy to 2035, what discussions she has had with Antarctic Parties on the protection of UK sovereign interests in the British Antarctic Territories.

All the issues raised by the Hon Member, including the protection of biosecurity, the prohibition of non-native species, and the impact of tourism, are important for the UK Government and are reflected in the objectives of our UK Antarctic Strategy published on 1 December 2025. We discuss and monitor these issues regularly alongside the international partners who share our interests in Antarctica, and we have invested heavily in the modern scientific research capabilities that help us to keep these issues under review.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK Overseas Territories biodiversity strategy, published on 12 January 2026, if she will set out the minimum biosecurity standards for ports and airports serving the British Antarctic Territories.

All the issues raised by the Hon Member, including the protection of biosecurity, the prohibition of non-native species, and the impact of tourism, are important for the UK Government and are reflected in the objectives of our UK Antarctic Strategy published on 1 December 2025. We discuss and monitor these issues regularly alongside the international partners who share our interests in Antarctica, and we have invested heavily in the modern scientific research capabilities that help us to keep these issues under review.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK Antarctic Strategy to 2035, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the rapid growth and diversification of tourism on the British Antarctic Territories.

All the issues raised by the Hon Member, including the protection of biosecurity, the prohibition of non-native species, and the impact of tourism, are important for the UK Government and are reflected in the objectives of our UK Antarctic Strategy published on 1 December 2025. We discuss and monitor these issues regularly alongside the international partners who share our interests in Antarctica, and we have invested heavily in the modern scientific research capabilities that help us to keep these issues under review.