Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which Syrian detainment camps are holding British nationals by a) the number held in each camp, b) gender and c) adult status.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many ISIS-linked British nationals are detained in camps in Syria.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what reason her Department declined an invitation for Ian Collard, Director of Security, to give oral evidence to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee in April 2026.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Fourth Report of the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy of Session 2024-26 on The National Security Strategy, HC 1045, published on 27 March 2026, what progress she has made in enabling closer cooperation with the EU to tackle hybrid threats.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the fourth report of the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, CP1338, published on 24 June 2025, what six-monthly foreign and security policy dialogues have taken place; and on what topics.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much money has been saved from her Department's budget as a result of the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill not completing its passage in each financial year for the remainder of the current Parliament.

No payments are due under the terms of the UK-Mauritius agreement until the Treaty has been ratified. Full details of the proposed payments have already been published in the Explanatory Memorandum accompanying the Treaty.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Gordon Brown held discussions with the government of Mauritius in 2009 during which the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands was raised.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 9 February to Question 109314.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 27 April 2026, to Question 125343 on Syria: Islamic State, what is the full scope of the “closer work together on returns” that was discussed between her and the President of Syria on 31 March 2026.

On 31 March, the Prime Minister welcomed Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa on his first official visit to the UK. Details of his discussions with the PM and other UK Government interlocutors were included in the press notice released on 31 March and discussed in my Written Ministerial Statement on 29 April:https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-04-29/debates/26042963000007/Syria#contribution-8A524287-7FE5-4A3D-BCF7-28DA236ADC0F.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the news story entitled Jonathan Powell appointed as Special Envoy for BIOT negotiations, published on 6 September 2024, whether the phrase He will begin his role immediately means that Jonathan Powell’s role as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the BIOT officially started on 6 September 2024.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 18 March in response to Question 118787.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 2404 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Public Appointments, on what date did her predecessor a) appoint Jonathan Powell, b) did he commence the role and c) was his appointment publicly announced.

I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on 11, 18 and 19 March in response to Questions 117954, 118781 and 119899.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Jonathan Powell was interviewed for the role of the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory.

I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on 11, 18 and 19 March in response to Questions 117954, 118781 and 119899.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 2404 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Public Appointments, on what dates her predecessor met with Jonathan Powell prior to appointing him as the Prime Minister's Envoy for the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)/Chagos Archipelago Sovereignty Negotiation with Mauritius.

I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on 11, 18 and 19 March in response to Questions 117954, 118781 and 119899.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of calls by the President of Argentina on 2 April 2026 for renewed negotiations with the UK over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.

No such assessment is required. The UK's steadfast support for the Falkland Islanders' right of self‑determination remains unchanged, and our position on sovereignty and the defence of the Falkland Islands remains equally steadfast and consistent.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what reason the UK supported the nomination of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the UN Committee for Program and Coordination on 8 April 2026.

The Hon Member is misinformed. The Asia-Pacific Group of states agreed within their group to put forward Iran, India, Japan and Pakistan as candidates for the four available regional seats on the committee in question. As per normal practice, those regional nominations went forward without a vote, with no expression of support from the UK.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Prime Minister and President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria discussed the return of ISIS-linked British citizens from camps in Syria to the UK during the meeting on 31 March 2026.

The Prime Minister welcomed President al-Sharaa to the UK on 31 March. Details of their discussions are available on GOV.UK at this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-meeting-with-president-ahmed-al-sharaa-of-syria-31-march-2026.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she met President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria during his visit to the UK on 31 March 2026.

The Prime Minister welcomed President al-Sharaa to the UK on 31 March. Details of their discussions are available on GOV.UK at this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-meeting-with-president-ahmed-al-sharaa-of-syria-31-march-2026.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what level of security clearance was granted to Peter Mandelson prior to his appointment as Ambassador to the United States.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 20 April, and his answers to the questions raised in response.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many times the Soft Power Council has met; and on what dates.

Available information about the Soft Power Council can be found on GOV.UK, including details of the dates of all its meetings to date and records that cover the issues discussed at each meeting. The Soft Power Council is attended on a voluntary basis by its members, and has no separate office or other fixed overheads.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the cost was of the Soft Power Council in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26; and what the estimated cost is for 2026-27.

Available information about the Soft Power Council can be found on GOV.UK, including details of the dates of all its meetings to date and records that cover the issues discussed at each meeting. The Soft Power Council is attended on a voluntary basis by its members, and has no separate office or other fixed overheads.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Soft Power Council has submitted (a) reports and (b) formal advice to her Department since January 2025.

Available information about the Soft Power Council can be found on GOV.UK, including details of the dates of all its meetings to date and records that cover the issues discussed at each meeting. The Soft Power Council is attended on a voluntary basis by its members, and has no separate office or other fixed overheads.