Written questions by McDougall.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help end the execution of political prisoners in Iran.

The UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. Iran's consistently high rate of executions is a deliberate attempt to instil fear and stifle dissent. In August, I said on X that we condemned the Iranian regime's executions, including that of protester Reza Rasaei. We will continue to hold Iran accountable for its appalling human rights violations, including at the UN Third Committee in October 2024.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to help secure the release of Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner, Jimmy Lai.

British national Jimmy Lai's case is a priority for the Government. The Foreign Secretary raised his case in his first meeting with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the ASEAN Summit on 26 July. We will continue to call on the Hong Kong authorities to end their politically motivated prosecution and immediately release Jimmy Lai and we will continue to press for consular access.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he plans to take to help reconstruction efforts in Gaza.

The UK is committed to the recovery, stabilisation and reconstruction of the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) as soon as the context allows. Planning for that must start now. The UK is clear: this must be Palestinian-led and support a political process towards a two-state solution. The UK's humanitarian aid and technical assistance, including through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and to the Palestinian Authority, is helping to support Gaza and prepare for that next phase. But the scale of the challenge is large. According to a UN/World Bank assessment earlier this year, reconstruction costs will exceed $18.5 billion. The UK is therefore committed to working with international partners, other donors, the UN, World Bank and private sector to begin planning for how we can meet this challenge.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure access to clean water for people in the developing world.

The UK is committed to advancing access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in developing countries and for those most likely to be marginalised, including women and girls. Our £18.5 million WASH Systems for Health programme is supporting governments in six developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia to strengthen WASH systems. The UK also provides support to UNICEF to strengthen the capacity of 11 government partners to establish climate resilient WASH services. Last month I announced a new package of aid for Sudan, South Sudan and Chad. This package includes provision for 40,000 displaced people with safe water in South Sudan. Additionally, support to the Sanitation and Water for All partnership supports the leadership, collaboration and accountability needed for progress globally.

If she will bring forward legislative proposals to directly incorporate the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings into domestic law.

The UK Government’s response to modern slavery and human trafficking is compliant with both domestic and international obligations, including those set out in the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (ECAT).This response includes the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC) which identify and support victims respectively.This Government is committed to tackling modern slavery and human trafficking, in line with our international and domestic legal obligations. I will update on future policies in due course and am committed to taking an approach that puts victims first.

What steps she is taking to help ensure that survivors of modern slavery feel safe to report exploitation and abuse regardless of their immigration status.

The Government is committed to tackling all forms of modern slavery; ensuring that victims, regardless of their nationality and immigration status, are provided with the support they need to begin rebuilding their lives and that those responsible are prosecuted.The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is the UK’s framework for identifying and referring potential victims of modern slavery, of all nationalities, and ensuring they receive the appropriate support. If a First Responder thinks that modern slavery has taken place, the individual should be referred to the NRM so that the relevant competent authority can fully consider the case in line with the published Statutory Guidance. If an adult potential victim does not consent to entering the NRM, the first responder must notify the Home Office (in England and Wales) via a Duty to Notify (DtN) report.The statistics for the NRM are published quarterly here: National Referral Mechanism statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for the Home Department to help tackle far-right extremism in Scotland.

The past weeks have been frightening for many of our communities in Scotland, in particular for Muslims. I will never forget hearing from a young woman who has asked to work from home indefinitely because she is so afraid to be in a city centre, in Scotland, in 2024, wearing the hijab. That is intolerable and cannot - and will not - be accepted.So I do not share the complacency of some that Scotland has no issues around racism and Islamophobia to address.The UK Government and Scotland Office are determined to play our part in defeating hate. I am grateful to the civil society and voluntary organisations throughout our communities whose efforts are so vital in supporting that endeavour, and to Police Scotland for their work in keeping us safe.While I am confident that the true values of this country are best reflected by millions of decent, law abiding people who cherish our neighbours and will not be divided, we must acknowledge that mosques, synagogues and other buildings used by a range of faith communities in Scotland have had to take advantage of Home Office funding for security. Their need to do so shames us all and we will not rest until those responsible for violent disorder are brought to justice and everyone, of every faith and background, feels equally safe.This government will continue to promote unity and solidarity across the diverse communities that so enrich life in Scotland and the United Kingdom and bring to justice all those engaged in thuggery and violent disorder.

If she will hold discussions with HSBC on steps to help people with British National (Overseas) visas access HSBC pensions managed in 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) (BN(O)) visa route are having difficulties in drawing down early their pensions held in the Hong Kong Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF).Whilst documentary requirements for withdrawing funds early are a matter for the Hong Kong authorities, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has raised this issue directly with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong MPF Schemes Authority. They 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 that any discrimination against BN(O)s is unacceptable.

If she will take steps to support people from Hong Kong with British National (Overseas) visas access pensions managed in 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) (BN(O)) visa route are having difficulties in drawing down early their pensions held in the Hong Kong Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF).Whilst documentary requirements for withdrawing funds early are a matter for the Hong Kong authorities, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has raised this issue directly with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong MPF Schemes Authority. They 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 that any discrimination against BN(O)s is unacceptable.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Chinese counterpart on (a) the use of residential boarding schools as a means of undermining Tibetan culture, (b) the release of the Panchen Lama from detention, (c) the right of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to choose his successor and (d) other issues relating to human rights in Tibet.

This Government will take a consistent, long term and strategic approach to managing the UK's relations with China, rooted in UK and global interests. We will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must.We will stand firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. We will champion freedom of religion or belief for all abroad, and 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.

What progress she has made on establishing an (a) independent and (b) wide-ranging review into the loan charge.

The Chancellor and I know the loan charge is a very important one for many members and their constituents. We have been considering this matter since taking office and will provide an update in due course.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending paragraph 1(b) of Schedule 29 to the Finance Act 2004 to ensure that people with enhanced protection are not limited in the amount of pension commencement lump sum they can obtain.

Paragraph 1(b) of Schedule 29 to the Finance Act 2004 provides for a pension commencement lump sum where all or part of a member’s lump sum allowance, and all or part of their lump sum and death benefit allowance, is available. Those with enhanced protection against pension tax charges are entitled to the same amount of pension commencement lump sum they would have expected to receive prior to 6 April 2023. This enables them to receive up to £375,000 if they have sufficient available lump sum allowance. The government has no plans to enable those with enhanced protection, or any other protection, to access additional tax-free lump sums where they have already taken the maximum amount. This maintains members’ expectations in respect of their tax-free lump sums.

What steps his Department is taking to help increase the manufacture of artillery shells to be supplied to the Ukrainian government.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has supported Ukraine by the granting in kind of both artillery munitions and systems. As a result of lessons from Ukraine, the MOD has significantly increased its order of artillery munitions through the multi-billion pound Next Generation Munitions Solution contract with BAE Systems. Through our Task Force Hirst and the signing of the Framework Arrangement on defence and industrial cooperation we have also created a mechanism for Defence Equipment and Support to place contracts on behalf of Ukraine with UK, and international, manufacturers. The MOD continues to work closely with the Department of Business and Trade to expedite export licencing decisions for Ukraine, and has provided additional resource to the Export Control Joint Unit to support this.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that solar panels installed in the UK do not contain polysilicon manufactured through the slave labour of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in China.

No company in the UK should have forced labour in its supply chain. We will be working with colleagues across Government to tackle the issue of Uyghur forced labour in supply chains. We are also relaunching the Solar Taskforce, which will focus on identifying and taking forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable and free from forced labour. This will support the significant increases in deployment of solar panels needed to meet our ambition of tripling the UKs solar power capacity by 2030.

When she plans to respond to the report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman entitled Women’s State Pension age: our findings on injustice and associated issues, published on 21 March 2024.

As a newly formed Government we will need time to review and consider the Ombudsman’s report along with the evidence provided during the investigation. This Government respects the work of the Ombudsman. Now the election has concluded we need to consider the views that have been expressed on all sides. The issues outlined in the report are significant and complex, as such they require serious deliberation. Once this work has been undertaken, the Government/we will be in a position to outline its approach.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to take steps to support democratic forces in Belarus.

Since the flawed elections of 2020, the UK has consistently supported the efforts of the democratic opposition in its peaceful struggle to realise the democratic aspirations of the people of Belarus. On 11 July, the UK, alongside other partners, invoked the OSCE Vienna Mechanism to hold the Belarusian authorities to account over the treatment of political prisoners in Belarus. Most recently, the UK invited Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, to meet with European leaders, including with the Foreign Secretary and myself [Minister Doughty], in the margins of the European Political Community summit at Blenheim palace on 18 July.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made recent representations to his counterpart in Georgia on the passing of the law on the transparency of foreign influence in that country.

The UK is committed to supporting a vibrant civil society in Georgia as an essential attribute of a healthy democracy. The Foreign Secretary met Georgian Foreign Minister Darchiashvili on 18 July at the European Political Community summit at Blenheim Palace. He urged the Georgian Government to return to its path of progressive democracy, in line with the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of over 80 per cent of the Georgian people.We continue to closely monitor developments.

Whether he plans to take legislative steps to protect consumers of (a) petrol and (b) diesel from uncompetitive practices by retailers.

The government welcomes the CMA’s work to investigate fuel prices and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment f the potential merits of negotiating a reciprocal agreement with the Government of Spain that will allow British citizens with holiday properties in Spain to spend six months in that country.

Both the UK and the EU allow for visa-free short-term travel in line with their arrangements for Third Country Nationals. The UK allows EU citizens short-term visa-free travel for up to six months. Meanwhile, the Schengen Borders Code allows for Third Country Nationals to travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; this is standard for third countries travelling to the EU. While we recognise that extending the 90-180 day period is a matter for Member States and the EU, the Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals abroad.

Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of trends in the level of antisemitism; and what steps he plans to take to help protect Jewish communities from hatred directed towards them.

Antisemitism has absolutely no place in our society, and tackling antisemitism is a top priority for this Government. This Government continues to fund the Community Security Trust, supporting their vital work in protecting Jewish communities. This includes providing additional security at Jewish schools, synagogues, and other sites. Making sure that British Jews are not only safe, but also that they feel safe, is one of our top priorities.Antisemitism is a deplorable form of Hate Crime, and the Government are committed to ensuring that everyone is able to worship freely, wear religious clothing and go about their lives in safety and security – irrespective of their background, faith or other characteristic. Tackling Hate Crime will be a key part of this Government's work to tackle divisions and create connections between all communities.