Written questions by Rosindell.

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, 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, 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, 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.

What discussions have been had with the Overseas Territories about making British Overseas Territories eligible for student maintenance loans.

We have worked with the British Overseas Territories to clearly set out our position on eligibility for student finance.Persons who have settled status in the UK, and who have come to the UK from specified British Overseas Territories, are eligible for home fee status if they meet the requirement of three years’ ordinary residence in the UK, and/or the specified British Overseas Territories.Eligibility for student support is based on residency and immigration status, not nationality, targeting resources on students who are likely to stay in the UK indefinitely and contribute to the economy.

What recent discussions he has had with (a) Ministerial colleagues and (b) external partners on the 25-year conservation plan for Akrotiri Salt Lake in the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia.

The Sovereign Base Areas Administration oversees the conservation plan for the Akrotiri Salt Lake, specifically through the ‘Akrotiri Peninsular Environmental Management Plan’. This was prepared in 2012 with the input and cooperation of local communities, non-Government organisations, and agencies of the Republic of Cyprus. Activity within this plan has been undertaken with technical and project support from cross-Government partners, including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

What progress he has made on the Bilateral Defence Co-operation Programme between the SBAs and the Republic of Cyprus.

The UK continues to share a strong Defence relationship with the Republic of Cyprus. This cooperation is underpinned by our Bilateral Defence Cooperation Plan, which is collaboratively reviewed level by Cypriot and UK Ministries of Defence. Our cooperation within this framework has grown year-on-year: it includes training, capability development, and crisis planning, as well as collaboration on domestic and regional challenges.

Pursuant to the answer of 16 July 2025 to UIN 66298, what recent discussions he has had with the SBAs and the Republic of Cyprus on crime and immigration.

The Sovereign Base Areas Administration and British High Commission Nicosia enjoy the practical support and cooperation of the Republic of Cyprus on issues of crime and immigration. Recent priorities have included tackling people smuggling networks, breaking up serious & organised criminal gangs, and the implementation of relevant parts of the UK/EU Withdrawal Agreement.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2025 to Question 79283, if he will make an assessment of (a) the effectiveness of hydrographic surveys to improve the safety of navigation in Antarctic waters and (b) the potential merits of increasing the capacity for conducting these surveys.

The UK Hydrographic Office, an Executive Agency of the MOD, provides products to support the safety of navigation at sea for the UK's Waters, including its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies - they draw this data from multiple sources including international partners under the auspices of the International Hydrographic Organisation's Hydrographic Commission for Antarctica. The Royal Navy's Ice Patrol Ship, HMS Protector, also carries out hydrographic surveys in Antarctic waters. The difficulties of gaining high quality data in such a remote and environmentally challenging region are significant and the season for data collection is short. Therefore, there is strong cross-governmental coordination to ensure more frequently visited areas of the British Antarctic Territory are prioritised.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the implementation of the Immigration (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 on the SBAs of Akrotiri and Dhekelia.

The Immigration (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 has been implemented effectively. The amendments addressed operational gaps and improved clarity for Sovereign Base Areas Customs and Immigration officers, while ensuring alignment with the Republic of Cyprus in line with the UK’s Treaty of Establishment commitments.

With reference to section 5 of his Department's policy paper entitled The Strategic Defence Review 2025 - Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of potential impact of possible threats on the Antarctic Treaty system.

The Government’s vision to maintain the UK’s role as a leader in Antarctica and an active participant in the Antarctic Treaty system was set out in the UK Antarctic Strategy to 2035, published on 1 December 2025. The Ministry of Defence undertakes regular assessments of the requirements for Defence to support UK interests in the Antarctic, including upholding the Antarctic Treaty System.

Pursuant to the answer of 8 September 2025 to question 71975, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of expanding the available pan space.

I would like to refer the hon. Member to the answer I have provided to the hon. Member for Huntingdon on 29 August to Question 71975. There remain no plans to expand the available 'pan space' at RAF Akrotiri but the Ministry of Defence is well placed to expand the facilities and infrastructure at RAF Akrotiri should the need arise.

Whether the National Police Service's remit will include dealing with illegal tobacco and organized crime.

The National Police Service will lead the operational response to serious and organised crime.We would expect that to include operational activity against illegal tobacco currently carried out by the National Crime Agency and the Regional Organised Crime Units.

Pursuant to the answer of 8 September 2025 to question 71975 on RAF Akrotiri: Military Aircraft, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of current pan space capacity.

British Forces Cyprus continue to work closely with all relevant stakeholders to assess the capacity of the RAF Akrotiri Airfield Operating Surfaces, ensuring an appropriate understanding of current requirements and the ability to support Defence activity as needed. RAF Akrotiri currently has adequate pan space capacity for both current and planned operations, with future operational demands kept under regular review.

How many deportations took place from the SBAs in (a) 2026, (b) 2025, (c) 2024 and (d) 2023.

No deportations have taken place directly from the Sovereign Base Areas in 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the regional disaster response to the fires in the SBAs of Akrotiri and Dhekelia in July 2025; and whether he has implemented new regional disaster preparedness plans in response.

The Sovereign Base Areas Administration (SBAA) manages disaster preparedness through the Areas Resilience Forum. Modelled on UK best practice, this takes a multi-agency approach, including both the SBAA and British Forces Cyprus, to prepare and respond to civil emergencies. The Area Resilience Forum conducts regular exercises to enhance preparedness of relevant agencies.In tackling civil emergencies, the Administration enjoys full, reciprocal cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus (RoC). For example, during the July 2025 wildfires – which took place within the RoC – significant aerial firefighting support was provided to the RoC by RAF CH-47.

If he will publish a breakdown of funding provided to the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia from the APPOLLO programme; and if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of this funding.

The APOLLO programme is delivering seismically compliant infrastructure and living accommodation across the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs). Under the APOLLO programme, to date, construction has taken place across both the Western (including Akrotiri) and Eastern (including Dhekelia) Sovereign Base Areas. This has resulted in the provision of a new primary school, operational buildings, Defence family housing, and a passenger and freight handling facility. This investment serves to reduce seismic risk, strengthen operational capability, and help improve quality of life for Defence personnel and their families. All Defence spending commitments, including the APOLLO programme, are currently under review as part of the Defence Investment Plan. As a result, we are unable to publish a breakdown of current and planned funding provided to the SBAs.

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.