Written questions by McDougall.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Nigerian counterpart on the risk of famine in (a) north west and (b) north east Nigeria.

Insecurity in North-East and North-West Nigeria has contributed to worsening food security as people are unable to plant, harvest and trade safely. The UK is therefore already providing support to tackle malnutrition in north-east Nigeria through the Humanitarian and Resilience Programme (HARP). HARP reduces mortality and increases resilience for people with the most severe humanitarian needs by (i) addressing food insecurity and malnutrition and (ii) protecting vulnerable people from harm. Through HARP, the UK has funded UNICEF to support the prevention and treatment of malnutrition aiming to reach 500,000 children with life-saving support.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to provide support to Georgian democrats who were arrested by their government and have lost legal defence funding following the funding freeze by USAID.

We do not provide any legal defence funding to Georgian Civil Society involved in recent protests. The UK's commitment to supporting both humanitarian aid and development across the world remains steadfast. The Foreign Secretary and I have raised our concerns over arbitrary arrests and violence in Georgia with the Georgian Dream authorities. I was clear that Georgia's negative democratic trajectory, and violence targeting demonstrators and journalists is unacceptable. We are working to support a free and open civil society and attend court hearings. On 30 January, our Embassy in Tbilisi issued a statement supporting journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, who has been on hunger strike since 11 January.

What data her Department holds on the number of Hong Kongers resident in the UK under the British National (Overseas) visa scheme by (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local authority.

The Home Office publishes data on the British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route as part of the ‘Immigration System Statistics’ quarterly release, in the entry clearance visas and extensions detailed datasets. The Home Office does not hold data on the number of Hong Kongers resident in the UK under the BN(O) route by parliamentary constituency or by local authority.

What information her Department holds on the number of UK companies that have jointly listed on the (a) Shanghai and (b) Shenzhen stock exchange since 2019.

Launched in 2019, the UK and China launched the London-Shanghai Stock Connect which allows Chinese companies listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange to issue depository receipts (DRs) in the UK, and for UK-listed companies to do the same in China. In 2023, the scheme was extended with the launch of London-Shenzhen Stock Connect. Since 2019, six Chinese companies have issued DRs in the UK via Stock Connect. To date, no UK companies have issued DRs in China.

Whether she plans to make representations to her Chinese counterpart at the UK-China Pensions Symposium on unfreezing the mandatory provident fund savings of Hong Kongers who have moved to the UK under the British National (Overseas) visa scheme.

This government is deeply committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK. We are aware that individuals who have chosen to take up the British National (Overseas) route are having difficulties accessing their Mandatory Provident Fund. As documentary requirements for withdrawing funds are a matter for the Hong Kong authorities, officials have raised this issue directly with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong MPF Schemes Authority. We have urged them to facilitate early draw down of funds as is the case for other Hong Kong residents who move overseas permanently and have made clear such discrimination of BN(O)s is unacceptable. We will continue to raise the issue with the relevant authorities and work towards a solution.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of Crown immunity for HM Prison Service on the adequacy of the mitigation of systemic issues identified following deaths in prisons.

Every death in custody is a tragedy and we continue to do all we can to improve the safety of prisoners. Deaths in custody are subject to a police investigation on behalf of the Coroner in all cases and, where necessary, a criminal investigation, an investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman; and a Coroner’s inquest (before a jury in non-natural deaths).After each death that is apparently self-inflicted and any other unexpected death that is not obviously from natural causes, an internal Early Learning Review is conducted to identify lessons that can immediately be learned in order to improve local practice and prevent further death.HMPPS also provides additional support to prisons where there has been a cluster of self-inflicted deaths, and fund Samaritans to provide support to prisoners and staff.We are looking into the issue of Crown Immunity, although it is an incredibly complex matter.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support British citizens who have experienced trauma due to events in Gaza and Israel since October 2023.

We welcome the announcement of an agreement to end the fighting in Gaza. We have continually pressed for a resolution to secure a ceasefire and see the return of hostages. We welcome the release of seven hostages in Gaza, including British national Emily Damari, and thank Qatar, Egypt and the US for their support in bringing these individuals' and their families' horrific ordeal to an end. We are clear the agreement must be implemented in full with all hostages returned. We continue to support families who have been bereaved through the October 7 attacks. The Foreign Secretary has met with or spoken to all families of UK and UK-linked hostages cruelly detained by Hamas and has heard first-hand the suffering those families have endured, most recently on 13 January. A team of experts from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are providing ongoing support to family members in the UK and Israel. The UK Government has additionally supported 505 British nationals and eligible persons to leave Gaza since October 2023.

Whether she had discussions with her Chinese counterpart on the recent arrest of AstraZeneca's China executives as part of the UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue.

This government will continue to support the certainty and stability businesses need to invest in the high growth sectors that will drive our growth mission. At the UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue, the Chancellor of the Exchequer was clear on the importance of open and candid conversation and secured China's agreement on the importance of a fair, open and non-discriminatory business environment.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to secure the medical evacuation of gravely (a) ill and (b) injured children in Gaza.

An immediate ceasefire is just the first step towards a lasting solution to this crisis. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic, with many in need of urgent medical assistance. It is vital that Israel ensures that there is a sustained passage for patients who need treatment not available in Gaza.We have announced £1 million for the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, delivered through World Health Organisation (WHO) Egypt, to support medically evacuated Palestinians from Gaza., to support medically evacuated Palestinians from Gaza. The UK is also supporting the provision of essential healthcare to civilians in Gaza, including support to UK-MED for operating their field hospitals. The Government is keeping our humanitarian programme and existing policies on medical evacuations and visa pathways under review in response to events in Gaza.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Israeli counterpart on the case of Habiba Al Askari.

The case of Habiba Al Askari is tragic and underlines why we need to see more medical evacuation routes open during the first phase of the ceasefire. While we have not discussed this individual case with Israel, we engage routinely on the importance of addressing health needs within Gaza and enabling medical evacuations for all patients needing medical care not available in Gaza.The UK has announced £1 million for the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, delivered through World Health Organization Egypt, to support medically evacuated Palestinians from Gaza. The UK is also supporting provision of essential healthcare to Palestinians including funding UK-Med to operate field hospitals in Gaza, where they have established an operating theatre and an emergency department for urgent care.

With reference to the oral evidence of 7 January 2025 given by Shein to the Business and Trade Select Committee, HC 370, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the compliance by Shein with slave labour legislation.

The Government is committed to tackling modern slavery, ensuring that victims are provided with the support they need to begin rebuilding their lives and that those responsible are prosecuted. All businesses should monitor their supply chains with rigour to uncover, report where appropriate, and remedy any instances of modern slavery they may find in their operations and supply chains.Under Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, commercial businesses who operate in the UK and have a turnover of £36m or more must report annually on the steps they have taken to prevent modern slavery in their operations and supply chains by publishing an annual modern slavery statement. Businesses must ensure their statement has been approved by the Board, signed by a director and is available via the homepage of their website. They should publish the statement within 6 months of their financial year end.While Section 54 was primarily designed to increase transparency, allowing scrutiny by consumers, investors, and civil society, the Government is considering how it can strengthen the Section 54 regime, including penalties for non-compliance.The Home Office is currently working with a wide group of stakeholders from business, academia, and civil society to update the Section 54 Modern Slavery Act statutory guidance. This will further support businesses to produce high quality statements, which are underpinned by effective measures to prevent and effectively respond to instances of modern slavery in supply chains.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the government of Azerbaijan on territorial claims made by President Aliyev for territory within Armenia.

The UK fully recognises the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Armenia and Azerbaijan. We welcome the progress on the delimitation of their borders and support the efforts of both sides to agree a lasting settlement to their decades' long conflict. I called Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on 31 October and met with the Azerbaijani Ambassador to the UK on 13 January, where I reiterated the UK's support to secure a long-lasting peace deal. We regularly urge all sides to refrain from any rhetoric which could undermine the important dialogue and prospects for a deal.

Media and Sport, if she will have discussions with the BBC on maintaining a sustainable production department in Scotland.

The public service remit for television requires that public service broadcasters like the BBC make an appropriate range and amount of their programmes across the UK. This includes specific obligations to production in Scotland, where the BBC is required to make 8% of its network spend and network programme hours. The independent regulator Ofcom holds the BBC to account in meeting these obligations.The Government is committed to working with the sector to ensure the right framework, conditions and support are in place for all broadcasters - including the BBC - to be more ambitious in growing our world-leading TV sector outside of London and the South East, and to commission content in every part of the country. Ministers and officials in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have regular discussions with the BBC, and during the upcoming Charter Review will consider the work of the BBC across the whole UK, including in Scotland.

Whether she plans to review the salary threshold for the visa sponsorship programme.

The Home Secretary confirmed on 30 July that the Government will be retaining the increase to the general salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa route brought in by the previous government. The general salary thresholds are updated on an annual basis to keep track with the latest available salary data and pay scales to account for overall wage increases.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the statement by the Chinese Embassy to the UK entitled Embassy Spokesperson on a Taiwan-related motion concocted by a handful of British MPs, published on 29 November 2024, what the Government's policy is on whether Taiwan is a province of China.

The UK's longstanding position on Taiwan, as set out in the 1972 Communiqué, has not changed and remains the position of this government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help protect the Falun Gong community in China.

The environment for freedom of religion or belief across China is restrictive, which includes the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.This Government will champion freedom of religion or belief for all abroad. We will work to uphold the right to freedom of religion or belief through our position at the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora, and through bilateral engagement. For example, the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary both raised human rights recently with their counterparts, President Xi and Foreign Minister Wang, respectively.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Pakistani counterpart on the role of that country’s Islamic Council in the persecution of Uyghur Muslims.

The UK remains deeply concerned by the discrimination faced by marginalised religious communities around the world. In Pakistan, we work to promote the rights of religious minorities through diplomatic engagement and programme funding. I raised the issue of religious tolerance when I met with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister when I visited this year. The UK also stands firm on human rights in China, including in Xinjiang, where China continues to persecute and arbitrarily detain Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities. We raise our concerns with China at the highest levels - the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary both raised human rights recently with their Chinese counterparts.

If she will remove Asma Assad's UK citizenship.

We do not comment on individual cases.But in the wider issue raised, the Home Office acted swiftly to temporarily pause decisions on Syrian asylum claims whilst we assess the current situation.We keep all country guidance relating to asylum claims under constant review so we can respond to emerging issues.While all asylum claims are routinely considered on their individual merits, it is standard procedure to deny protection to anyone who has committed crimes against peace, war crimes, crimes against humanity, other serious crimes abroad or acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of recent incursions by the Coastguard of the People's Republic of China into the restricted waters of the Kinmen islands.

The UK's longstanding position on Taiwan has not changed. The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We consider the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion. We do not support any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, including increased Chinese assertiveness towards Taiwan.

If she will issue guidance to (a) HSBC and (b) Standard Chartered on the validity of British National (Overseas) passports for Hong Kongers to use to secure early withdrawals of their Mandatory Provident Fund savings after permanently leaving Hong Kong.

This government is deeply committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK. We are aware that individuals who have chosen to take up the British National (Overseas) route are having difficulties accessing their Mandatory Provident Fund from Hong Kong. Whilst documentary requirements for withdrawing funds are a matter for the Hong Kong authorities, officials have raised this issue directly with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong MPF Schemes Authority. We have urged them to facilitate early draw down of funds as is the case for other Hong Kong residents who move overseas permanently and have made clear such discrimination of BN(O)s is unacceptable.