Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress she has made on the (a) refurbishment and (b) remodelling of the British Embassy Tokyo compound.

The sale of a portion of British Embassy Tokyo's land has been completed. To protect the historic Residence and Chancery, and improve facilities on the Embassy compound, works will take several years to complete. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continually reviews its global estate to maintain a world-class platform for promoting UK interests and maximising value for British taxpayers' money.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the level of reaction from China to the use of the Taiwan Strait for navigation by HMS Spey in June 2025.

Wherever the Royal Navy operates, it does so in full compliance with international norms and exercises its rights to freedom of navigation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). HMS SPEY navigated the Taiwan Strait in June 2025, and the People's Liberation Army Navy response was assessed as safe and professional.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress has she made on renewing the New START Treaty before its expiration in February 2026.

The New START Treaty is a bilateral agreement between the United States and Russian Federation; any replacement treaty is a matter for the US and Russia. The UK regularly raises issues related to strategic risk reduction, including arms control with the USA and Russia through the expert-level P5 process. Genuine and verifiable strategic arms control among the largest Nuclear Weapons States can be a positive step for global security. However, following Russia's decision to suspend participation in New START verification measures in 2023, future approaches need to be based on concrete, and verifiable actions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 September 2025 to Question 69511 on James Scott Rhys Anderson, on what dates his Department has raised the issue of James Scott Rhys Anderson with their Ukrainian counterparts.

The UK regularly raises Mr Anderson's case with Ukrainian counterparts. Most recently, the former Foreign Secretary raised the case with Foreign Minister Sybiha on 15 August. The Prime Minister raised the case with President Zelenskyy on 24 July. I raised the case with Deputy Foreign Minister Mishchenko in June. We have been clear to the Russian authorities that Mr Anderson must be treated as a Prisoner of War, in accordance with International Humanitarian Law. We remain in close contact with Mr Anderson's family and are providing consular support.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of deepening (a) commercial and (b) other economic ties between Russia and North Korea.

The UK remains deeply concerned about the implications of the deepening Russia-Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) relationship for both Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security. The rapid expansion of their military, political, and economic cooperation since the start of Russia's illegal war against Ukraine has resulted in ongoing flagrant violations of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) by both countries. Russia's support to DPRK's defence-industrial base, including the provision of oil and cash, as well as the experience DPRK troops have gained in Russia, allows it to support their weapons programmes and gain valuable military and technical insights. The UK has been clear that the DPRK must end its support for Russia's illegal war in Ukraine and must immediately withdraw its troops.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many days were lost to sickness absence by civil servants in their Department (a) in total and (b) on average per employee between 5 July 2024 and 4 July 2025.

The Cabinet Office publishes an annual report on sickness absence in different government departments and agencies, the most recent edition of which - published in January 2025 - can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-sickness-absence-2024/civil-service-sickness-absence-2024-report.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of HMS Richmond's planned use of the Taiwan Strait in September on UK relations with China.

We do not routinely comment on operational details. Wherever the Royal Navy operates, it does so in full compliance with international laws and norms and exercises its rights to freedom of navigation and overflight provided for by United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 11 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published on 24 June 2025, what progress he has made in sharpening the UK’s diplomatic focus with New Zealand.

The UK-New Zealand relationship is a close partnership based on shared history, deep people-to-people links and shared priorities and values. The UK engages with the Government of New Zealand at both ministerial and official level across a wide range of regional and global issues. We were pleased to welcome Prime Minister Luxon to London in April for a day of talks with the Prime Minister.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 33 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published on 24 June 2025, what progress he has made in strengthening the UK’s sanctions (a) implementation and (b) enforcement through the Economic Deterrence Initiative.

The Government concluded a review of the implementation and enforcement of UK sanctions in April 2025. Following the review, this Government is committing to do more to make compliance easier for UK industry, to deter non-compliance and to make sure we have the right powers and capabilities to enforce sanctions breaches.The Economic Deterrence Initiative has underpinned this review by funding activity across government to improve implementation and enforcement of sanctions. This includes establishing new HMG capabilities like the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI), enhanced guidance and licensing capability to support legitimate business, tackling sanctions circumvention with international partners, and bolstering sanctions implementation in the Overseas Territories.His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) recently concluded a compound settlement to a UK business that breached UK sanctions. The settlement involved a penalty of £1.1 million which was paid to HMRC in May 2025. This is the largest compound settlement HMRC has concluded for a Russia sanctions offence.In March 2025, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) imposed a monetary penalty of £465,000 for breaches of Financial Sanctions, and in April the National Crime Agency (NCA) secured the first convictions for breaches of the UK's Russia sanctions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the cancellation by the CIA in the United States of the appointment of Tom Sylvester as the London chief of station on the UK's intelligence network.

It is a longstanding policy of successive governments not to comment on intelligence matters.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has (a) witnessed and (a) seen verified video evidence of the Israeli Defence Forces deliberately firing on the civilian population in Gaza during the distribution of humanitarian relief.

Reports and footage of the chaos at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) sites are horrifying. It is appalling that at least 2,294 people have been killed and over 16,839 injured at or near the distribution sites. This further illustrates why humanitarian partners such as the UN and humanitarian non-governmental organisations must be allowed to operate in line with their principles. We have repeatedly urged Israel to remove restrictions on aid and ensure that aid can be delivered across the Gaza strip safely.The UK has been clear that we will not support any aid mechanism that seeks to deliver political or military objectives or puts vulnerable civilians at risk while retrieving aid.On 11 July, I called for an independent investigation into the killing of women and children while collecting aid in central Gaza. Indications that Israel's Military Advocate General may open an investigation into allegations of deliberate targeting of civilians at aid distribution sites are a step in the right direction. We expect those responsible to be held to account.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his (a) Ukrainian and (b) Russian counterpart on the release of James Scott Rhys Anderson.

The Ukrainian authorities have confirmed British national James Anderson was serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, meaning he holds Prisoner of War (PoW) status. Ukraine holds responsibility for engagement on any members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces who are captured and held as PoWs, regardless of their nationality. This includes negotiating with Russia on prisoner exchanges. The UK regularly raises Mr Anderson's case with our Ukrainian partners. We have been clear to the Russian authorities that Mr. Anderson must be treated as a PoW, in accordance with International Humanitarian Law. We remain in close contact with Mr Anderson's family and are providing consular support.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June 2025 to Question 61044 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, under what description in his Department's annual accounts will expenditure relating to the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025] be listed.

Any expenditure by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office relating the Diego Garcia Treaty between the UK and Mauritius would be recorded as Grant Expenditure in the Annual Report and Accounts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 58713 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, what proportion of the annual cost of the deal each year between 2025-2050 will be paid by (a) his department and (b) the Ministry of Defence.

The payments to Mauritius will be split between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Ministry of Defence. They will be published in the normal manner alongside other departmental spend in the annual accounts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when his Department started using the term Occupied Palestinian Territories in official documentation.

The UK government has used the term "Occupied Palestinian Territories" regularly since 2007.It has been the position of the UK Government since 1967 that the Occupied Palestinian Territories (West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza) are not lawfully part of the State of Israel. In line with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, we regard East Jerusalem as part of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We consider that the level of control that Israel retains over these territories amounts to occupation under international law and hence that Israel's presence is governed by the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Conventions of 1949, to which Israel is a state party.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Answer 55083 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, how much of the cost will come from the budget of (a) his Department and (b) the Ministry of Defence.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to his previous question 56674.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Letter No.1 entitled “Exchange of letters concerning implementation and interpretation of Article 11 of the agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia”, from which budget will the £120m be taken for years four to thirteen of the Agreement.

The costs associated with the deal will be split between the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to point 3, sub paragraph f of the Exchange of letters concerning implementation and interpretation of Article 11 of the agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, Letter No. 1, what steps he is taking to involve UK businesses in the delivery of projects supported by grant funding from the UK.

Full details of the mechanisms of use for the development framework grant will be agreed between the UK and Mauritius during the implementation period, before the first payment of the grant in year 4 of the Agreement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Exchange of letters concerning implementation and interpretation of Article 11 of the agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, Letter No. 1, from which budget the £165m be taken from for the first three years of the Agreement.

The costs associated with the deal will be split between the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much foreign aid his Department has granted to the Republic of Mauritius in each of the last ten years.

The table shows country-specific bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Mauritius by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and all other contributors of UK ODA (2014-2023), published in Statistics on International Development on the UK Government's website.YearFCDOAll other contributors of UK ODA£000sTotal £000s2014761-20745201577177772016187619320173041231620185053508201989839012020786818662021788103892202245210455620236732429152024Statistics not yet available