Written questions by Rosindell.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK Antarctic Strategy to 2035, what assessment her Department has made of biosecurity risks 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, whether her Department is taking steps to help support the Turks and Caicos government with the procurement of outsourced professional services for the proposed expansion of the Providenciales International Airport.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 15 January in response to Question 104147.The UK is committed to expanding economic cooperation with the Overseas Territories, recognising that sustainable economic prosperity is central to our shared future. The 2025 Joint Ministerial Council included discussions with UK Export Finance regarding their infrastructure offer and credit finance opportunities in the UK, as well as a business engagement session alongside UK companies with infrastructure expertise, including in relation to airports. FCDO officials will continue to engage with their Turks and Caicos Island counterparts to understand their specific needs and plans.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department is taking steps to support the Turks and Caicos government with the procurement of outsourced professional services for the proposed expansion of the Providenciales International Airport.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 15 January in response to Question 104147.The UK is committed to expanding economic cooperation with the Overseas Territories, recognising that sustainable economic prosperity is central to our shared future. The 2025 Joint Ministerial Council included discussions with UK Export Finance regarding their infrastructure offer and credit finance opportunities in the UK, as well as a business engagement session alongside UK companies with infrastructure expertise, including in relation to airports. FCDO officials will continue to engage with their Turks and Caicos Island counterparts to understand their specific needs and plans.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support her Department is providing to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government for the proposed airport expansion in Providenciales.

The UK is committed to expanding economic cooperation with the Overseas Territories, recognising the importance of sustainable economic prosperity to the whole UK family. The 2025 Joint Ministerial Council included discussions with UK Export Finance regarding their infrastructure offer and credit finance opportunities in the UK, as well as a business engagement session involving UK companies with infrastructure expertise, including airports.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications of the arrest of Nicolás Maduro for Venezuela’s territorial ambitions in Guyana.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 5 January, and her responses to questions raised in that debate. Furthermore, let me point out the Essequibo border was settled more than 125 years ago, through international arbitration. The UK's support for Guyana's sovereignty is unwavering. We will continue to work with allies and regional partners to avoid escalation in tensions on the Venezuela/Guyana border.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has had discussions with international partners on coordinated responses to the suppression of protests in Iran.

I refer the Hon Member to my statement to the House on 5 January, where I set out the UK's position in relation to the recent protests in Iran. I will provide further such updates in due course as necessary.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has engaged with the UN or Gulf partners on the escalation in southern Yemen between Saudi and Emirati-aligned forces.

I refer the Hon Member to my statement to the House on 5 January, where I set out the UK's position in relation to the recent tensions in Southern Yemen. I will provide further such updates in due course as necessary.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what implications have heightened tensions in Yemen had to the free flow of trade through the Suez Canal and Red Sea.

I refer the Hon Member to my statement to the House on 5 January, where I set out the UK's position in relation to the recent tensions in Southern Yemen. I will provide further such updates in due course as necessary.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her Iranian counterpart on the treatment of protesters in Iran.

I refer the Hon Member to my statement to the House on 5 January, where I set out the UK's position in relation to the recent protests in Iran. I will provide further such updates in due course as necessary.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has spoken with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth on support for Guyana in light of (a) ongoing instability in Venezuela and (b) Venezuela’s territorial ambitions in Guyana.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 5 January, and her responses to questions raised in that debate. Furthermore, let me point out the Essequibo border was settled more than 125 years ago, through international arbitration. The UK's support for Guyana's sovereignty is unwavering. We will continue to work with allies and regional partners to avoid escalation in tensions on the Venezuela/Guyana border.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Southern Transitional Council’s aim to hold a referendum on independence in the coming years.

I refer the Hon Member to my statement to the House on 5 January, where I set out the UK's position in relation to the recent tensions in Southern Yemen. I will provide further such updates in due course as necessary.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the recent military tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Yemen, and their potential impact on regional security.

I refer the Hon Member to my statement to the House on 5 January, where I set out the UK's position in relation to the recent tensions in Southern Yemen. I will provide further such updates in due course as necessary.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information her Department holds on the role of the Iranian security forces in responding to recent protests.

I refer the Hon Member to my statement to the House on 5 January, where I set out the UK's position in relation to the recent protests in Iran. I will provide further such updates in due course as necessary.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department plans to introduce mandatory social media checks for individuals receiving consular support.

In 2024-25, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) answered over 400,000 requests for consular support from British nationals overseas, and provided more detailed consular assistance to over 22,200 British nationals overseas, including support to families of more than 6,000 British nationals who had died overseas, and 3,500 who had been hospitalised.The Hon Member's suggestion that the FCDO should withhold consular support in all these cases until checks have been conducted on each individual's social media history is not only completely impractical, and deeply inappropriate in the cases of families facing bereavement and individuals requiring emergency medical care, but would also violate the basic principle that consular assistance is provided primarily on the basis of someone's citizenship status and the circumstances they face.Changes arising from the review of information processes initiated by the Foreign Secretary on 29 December will be announced in the normal way in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Israeli counterpart on their diplomatic recognition of Somaliland.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office regularly engages with the Somali authorities, political parties and civil society, as well as the Somaliland Office in London.Decisions on Israeli diplomatic recognition are a matter for the Government of Israel. The Foreign Secretary has had no specific discussions with her Israeli counterpart on this subject.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with representatives of the Venezuelan Opposition in (a) Venezuela, (b) other Latin American countries, and (c) the United Kingdom, following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 5 January, and her responses to questions raised in that debate.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what changes will be made to FCDO due diligence processes for high-profile consular cases following the review announced by the Foreign Secretary.

In 2024-25, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) answered over 400,000 requests for consular support from British nationals overseas, and provided more detailed consular assistance to over 22,200 British nationals overseas, including support to families of more than 6,000 British nationals who had died overseas, and 3,500 who had been hospitalised.The Hon Member's suggestion that the FCDO should withhold consular support in all these cases until checks have been conducted on each individual's social media history is not only completely impractical, and deeply inappropriate in the cases of families facing bereavement and individuals requiring emergency medical care, but would also violate the basic principle that consular assistance is provided primarily on the basis of someone's citizenship status and the circumstances they face.Changes arising from the review of information processes initiated by the Foreign Secretary on 29 December will be announced in the normal way in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has considered inviting the President of the Swiss Confederation for a State Visit to the United Kingdom.

As the Hon Member is experienced enough to know, there are standard procedures for such matters. The Government's recommendations for State Visits are discussed at the Royal Visit Committee. These are then endorsed by the Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister before being presented to His Majesty The King for formal approval.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with representatives of Somaliland in London in the last 12 months.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office regularly engages with the Somali authorities, political parties and civil society, as well as the Somaliland Office in London.Decisions on Israeli diplomatic recognition are a matter for the Government of Israel. The Foreign Secretary has had no specific discussions with her Israeli counterpart on this subject.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has had discussions with Commonwealth partners on strengthening trade resilience amid global supply chain disruptions.

These issues were discussed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit (CHOGM) in Samoa in October 2024. Economic resilience is a key area of focus in the Commonwealth Strategic Plan for 2025 - 2030. Since CHOGM we have continued to discuss these issues in international and multilateral fora, and in bilateral conversations with our Commonwealth partners.