Written questions by Rosindell.

What steps he has taken to improve (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment of skin cancer.

The Department will get the National Health Service diagnosing cancer earlier, including skin cancer, and treating it faster so more patients survive. As a first step we have delivered an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week during our first year in Government to ensure earlier diagnoses and faster treatment for those who need it most.Since 2023/24, NHS England has also been rolling out teledermatology services, which allow a virtual review of dermoscopic images. In providers where this has been fully implemented, improvements in workforce capacity have been seen doubling the number of patients that can be reviewed per clinic in some cases, and improving faster diagnosis standard performance.NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) national report has provided recommendations to encourage the wider use of technology to ensure skin cancer patients get faster and more equitable access to care. Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) is also planning a programme to support primary care colleagues, offering training for new staff to recognise harmless skin lesions, like moles and warts, with the aim of reducing unnecessary referrals to hospital and freeing up capacity for other patients on the waiting list. NHS England runs Help Us Help You campaigns in England to increase knowledge of cancer symptoms and address barriers to acting on them, to encourage people to come forward as soon as possible to see their general practitioner. The campaigns focus on a range of symptoms, as well as encouraging body awareness, to help people spot symptoms across a wide range of cancers at an earlier point.NHS England and other National Health Service organisations, nationally and locally, publish information on the signs and symptoms of many different types of cancer, including skin cancer. This information can be found at sources such as NHS.UK.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of EU investment in local pharmaceutical production in the Caribbean on UK-Caribbean healthcare partnerships.

The Government has not made any assessment of the potential impact of this investment. The United Kingdom remains committed to working with Caribbean partners to strengthen healthcare systems, and to supporting healthcare development and collaboration in the Caribbean region through bilateral and multilateral engagement.

What steps his Department is taking to help strengthen maritime security in the Caribbean region in (a) collaboration with British Overseas Territories and (b) other ways.

A Royal Naval ship maintains a persistent presence in the Caribbean where it contributes to regional security through the conduct of counter-illicit trafficking operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as necessary during the Caribbean hurricane season, and wider defence engagement. Defence also provides direct assistance to the Overseas Territory Defence Regiments through the provision of equipment and training, including maritime capacity building. Defence maintains close relationships with independent states throughout the region and works in partnership with Canada, France, the Netherlands and the United States to align and conduct joint activity. The Ministry of Defence works closely with the Foreighn Commonwealth and Development Office as part of a cross-HMG approach to the UK’s Overseas Territories.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Commonwealth Secretariat on the promotion of (a) open learning and (b) distance education through the Commonwealth of Learning.

The UK supports the role of the Commonwealth in promoting open learning and distance education through the Commonwealth of Learning. The Commonwealth of Learning promotes greater access to quality education and training and allows Commonwealth citizens to benefit from improved livelihoods, greater gender equity and overall economic, social, and cultural development leading to sustainable development. The UK continues to support and encourage collaboration across the Commonwealth and it's institutions to ensure this important work can continue.

Whether he is taking steps with his (a) Australian and (b) US counterparts on the integration of quantum computing technologies under the AUKUS framework.

Quantum technologies remain one of the six areas of advanced capability collaboration being progressed as part of AUKUS Pillar Two. The Secretary of State for Defence alongside his AUKUS counterparts continues to support the development and integration of quantum technologies for positioning, navigation, and timing in military capabilities.

Whether the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill will regulate online marketplaces selling dangerous toys.

The Consumer Protection Act 1987 allows consumers harmed by defective products to make civil claims from the manufacturer for compensation. The Government is currently reviewing this legislation to ensure it remains up-to-date and fit for the future. Other legislation gives consumers the right to redress if they are misled by a trader’s actions; including the right to unwind contracts, claim discounts, and damages.While the law is clear that toys must be safe before being placed on the market, the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill will enable regulations to be updated to better reflect modern online supply chains.

What steps he is taking to work with faith groups to support the terminally ill.

We do acknowledge the importance of access to psychological, social and spiritual support for those who wish to access such support, including those at the end of life, as well as those important to them.NHS England’s statutory guidance for palliative and end of life care states that integrated care board commissioners should work to ensure that there is sufficient provision of care service providers available to deliver high-quality end of life care, paying particular attention to access to mental health and wellbeing support and spiritual care.Chaplains promote pastoral, spiritual and religious wellbeing through compassionate, person-centered care. This is available to patients, their families and carers, and to National Health Service staff, volunteers and students.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with his counterpart in Papua New Guinea to help tackle illegal logging.

The UK Forest Governance, Markets and Climate phase 2 (FGMC2) programme aims to improve forest stewardship by supporting countries to improve their forest governance and how they make decisions about forest land use. This includes reducing the illegal and unsustainable use of forest resources. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), FGMC2 is partnering with the PNG Forest Authority to (i) develop a Forest Sector Economic Model, which will allow stakeholders to examine the impacts of land use decisions, including timber extraction, on forest land; (ii) build on earlier timber legality standards to expose PNG to the experience of other countries that have developed timber verification systems and are able to demonstrate the legality of their timber to international markets.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the recent increase in the number of internally displaced people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on UK humanitarian aid distribution.

The UK is a leading humanitarian partner in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We have allocated over £80 million in humanitarian support this financial year, supporting emergency lifesaving assistance and providing access to clean drinking water treatment for malnourished children, as well as life-saving sexual and reproductive health services. The humanitarian crisis is dire and rapidly worsening. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced since January.Humanitarian access to the areas with populations of displaced people is a key challenge, due to the ongoing insecurity and closure of airports, for example. The UK is working with partners to improve humanitarian access and humanitarian partners are active and adapting to deliver life-saving services. We call on all parties not to obstruct the vital services that humanitarians are providing, and to cease hostilities and uphold the protection of humanitarian workers, as outlined in international humanitarian law.

What discussions he has had with his counterparts in Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership member states on (a) digital trade standards and (b) their implications for UK businesses.

The UK is engaging in exploratory discussions on digital trade as part of the CPTPP General Review. Digital trade was also raised at the CPTPP ministerial meeting in November 2024 and referenced in the subsequent joint statement.As part of this process, CPTPP Parties are reviewing the Agreement’s operation with a view to updating and enhancing it. The UK’s contributions take account of the latest developments in digital trade, including those relating to digital trade standards. Throughout this process, our priority remains to promote and protect the interests of UK businesses, consumers and workers.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Kenya on the potential impact of the recent drought on UK-Kenya agricultural cooperation.

The UK has strengthened its partnership with Kenya to enhance agricultural resilience amid worsening droughts. The Kenyan Government, with support from the UK through the Hunger Safety Net Programme, makes monthly cash transfers to 133,800 households in the North East Arid and Semi-Arid lands of Kenya. These cash transfers have provided a consistent source of income to households, minimising the impact of the recent drought. Water shortages have also heightened the need for sustainable irrigation and climate-smart agriculture, areas where UK programmes like Commercial Agriculture for Smallholder Agribusiness (CASA) and Sustainable Urban Economic Development (SUED) play a key role through a combination of technical assistance, grants, and access to investment to grow climate resilient agribusiness. The Foreign Secretary last spoke to His Excellency Musalia Mudavadi on 29 January when they had a wide ranging conversation across our shared priorities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Congolese counterpart on illegal mining activities by armed groups in North Kivu.

The UK is deeply alarmed by the events unfolding in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We also condemn the recent offensives by the March 23 Movement (M23) and the Rwanda Defence Force, including the capture of Goma and Bukavu, as an unacceptable violation of DRC's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a breach of the UN Charter. The Foreign Secretary visited Kinshasa in February and met with President Tshisekedi. During their meeting they discussed reports of illicit mineral extraction in eastern DRC. We are deeply concerned by reports from the UN Group of Experts about M23 and Rwanda illegally extracting critical minerals from the DRC. We have been clear that illegal economic activity must stop.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of a ban on the (a) marketing and (b) advertising of (i) e-cigarette and vaping products, (ii) non-medically licensed nicotine products and (iii) heated tobacco products on the number of adults switching from cigarettes to alternatives.

The health advice is clear that vaping is only recommended for adult smokers who wish to quit smoking. Youth vaping has more than doubled in the last five years with one in four children aged between 11 and 15 years old having tried vaping in 2023. It is unacceptable that vapes are deliberately promoted and advertised to children, and this must be stopped to prevent future generations from being hooked on nicotine.The Government has published a thorough impact assessment of the measures included in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, including the prohibition on the advertising of vaping products and nicotine products.Public health messaging and campaigns will continue to support the promotion of vapes as a quit aid for smokers, as outlined on the Better Health and National Health Service websites. Additionally, the Government is committed to supporting smokers to quit, through a range of services. We are investing an additional £70 million in 2025/26 for local Stop Smoking Services in England and are working to ensure all NHS hospitals offer ‘opt-out’ smoking cessation purposes.All tobacco products are harmful to health. There is evidence of toxicity from heated tobacco in laboratory studies. The aerosol generated by heated tobacco also contains carcinogens, and there will be a risk to the health of anyone using these products.The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 prohibits the advertisement and sponsorship of tobacco products, and that prohibition applies to tobacco products intended to be smoked, sniffed, sucked or chewed. It is the Department’s view that the legislation applies to any tobacco product, regardless of when it was developed, and that heated tobacco products and the heating device to be used with it are caught under this legislation.

Whether he has made an assessment of (a) trends in the level of (i) trade facilitation, (ii) economic cooperation and (iii) market access within the Commonwealth and (b) the potential merits of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council in promoting trade.

The Commonwealth includes some of the UK’s biggest trading partners including Canada, and South Africa. Trade values have increased steadily in current prices from £105.6bn in 2014 to £170.2bn (12 months to end September 2024) through economic cooperation initiatives with Commonwealth members, such as Free Trade Agreements, negotiations with India, and trade facilitation work such as the Digital Economy Agreement with Singapore updating rules affecting exporters of goods and services.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office leads on Commonwealth engagement including with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council who are preparing for the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit in London, April 2025.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to promote cultural awareness of patron saints of the United Kingdom.

DCMS has no such plans, but we know that St David, St Andrew, St Patrick and St George are as well-sewn into the fabric of our national identities as they are inscribed on many of our buildings, including in the mosaics above Central Lobby in the Palace of Westminster.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help support the Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands following the grounding of iceberg A23a.

The Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) has not requested any support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) at this stage following the recent grounding of iceberg A23a off the island of South Georgia. The current assessment remains that the iceberg is unlikely to significantly affect the wildlife, and Southern Ocean shipping operators are currently easily able to avoid the iceberg as it hasn't yet started to break up. The FCDO will remain in close contact with the Commissioner for SGSSI and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) about A23a to identify any support required as it starts to break up and melt. The Ministry of Defence are also seeking to monitor the grounding site when conditions allow.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support British Overseas Territories to (a) tackle illegal fishing and (b) protect marine biodiversity.

The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office's Blue Belt Programme supports the UK Overseas Territories (UKOT) to tackle illegal fishing, including through the provision of maritime domain awareness capabilities. This includes risk-based satellite surveillance, tasking of satellite imagery to detect illegal activity, intelligence support and training for fisheries patrols. The Programme also provides regional coordination through relevant Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, supports Flag State engagement, and supports the implementation of compliance and enforcement frameworks to deter illegal fishing activity. This has resulted in fewer illegal incursions and a high level of compliance within UKOT waters. The Blue Belt supports the protection of the unique biodiversity of over 4.4 million square kilometres of UKOT waters through marine protected areas and other area-based conservation measures, which are underpinned by thorough scientific evidence, as well as ensuring they are well monitored, managed, and protected against the threat of harmful activity.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has held recent discussions with his Turkish counterpart on the ongoing legal proceedings against Ekrem İmamoğlu.

The Government looks to Turkey, as a modern democracy and a fellow member of the Council of Europe, to undertake any legal processes fairly, transparently and with full respect for the rule of law. The Government regularly raises human rights and rule of law issues with Turkey. Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent progress has been made on adopting publicly accessible registers of beneficial ownership in the British Overseas Territories.

At the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) in November 2024, all Overseas Territories (OT) committed to implementing registers with the maximum possible degree of access and transparency by June 2025. The registers will be fully public, or at least accessible to those with a legitimate interest in the interim.UK Officials are working proactively with OT officials to ensure their proposals meet the JMC requirements. I have and will continue to raise this directly with elected leaders, including in my meeting with Premier Wheatley of the British Virgin Islands, in his own capacity, and as President of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) last week.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the recent discovery of lithium deposits in Quebec on UK-Canada energy cooperation.

Critical minerals are pivotal to the net zero transition and we welcome Canada's focus on this during their G7 Presidency this year. We have welcomed the Canadian Global Minerals Action Plan, which helps set out a path to ensure diverse, resilient and sustainable supply chains around the world. We look forward to further collaboration with Canada and our partners in this field.