Every parliamentary written question tabled by Blake Stephenson this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 41–49 of 49 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of comments made by Georges Pierre Lesjongard on 15 February 2025.
The UK's position is clear - we do not and will not pay reparations.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he plans to take to help ensure that humanitarian support for Gaza cannot be used to further Hamas’ objectives.
I will refer the honourable member to our response to PQ 40467. We are aware of allegations that Hamas uses humanitarian aid for its own gain. We have encouraged Israel to share evidence with the UN/ International Non-Governmental Organizations. We have not seen clear evidence of systematic aid diversion to Hamas, and given the ongoing hostilities in Gaza we are unable to verify allegations through direct monitoring. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) humanitarian programmes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories operate with additional safeguards to manage the risk of aid diversion. Our emergency humanitarian response is delivered through trusted, credible partners to minimise risk. These partners operate in line with humanitarian principles, including neutrality, and have demonstrated their ability to deliver aid to the most vulnerable in the most challenging contexts. We remain in regular contact with partners regarding operational delivery, risk management and monitoring of delivery.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Spanish counterpart.
The Foreign Secretary last met with his Spanish counterpart Foreign Minister José-Manuel Albares in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Luxembourg in October 2024 and was in touch with Mr Albares to express the UK's condolences and offer our support after the heavy flooding in Valencia later in October. I visited Madrid on 17th January 2025 where I had discussions with Foreign Minister Albares and my Spanish counterpart, Minister for Europe Fernando Sampedro.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Cypriot counterpart.
The Foreign Secretary met Cypriot Foreign Minister Kombos on 17 December 2024 to discuss recent developments, Settlement and the EU reset. I also spoke with Foreign Minister Kombos on 20 January to discuss recent developments on Settlement.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Argentinian counterpart.
UK Ministers and officials maintain regular contact with their Argentine counterparts, discussing a range of issues of bilateral importance, including economic growth, support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, and the South Atlantic. The Foreign Secretary last had a substantial conversation with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein, on 29 November 2024.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the inclusion of Overseas Territories in the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.
The Government believes the UN Special Committee on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (Special Committee) is outdated, and that it no longer has a relevant role to play with respect to the UK Overseas Territories.For those Territories with permanent populations who wish it, the Government will continue to support requests for the removal of the Territory from the United Nations list of 'non-self-governing Territories'. Furthermore, the Government supports the right of the people of the Overseas Territories to address the Special Committee directly. In 2024, the UK supported representatives from the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, and the British Virgin Islands to appear at the Special Committee's annual considerations of their respective Territories and stands ready to do the same in 2025.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the annual difference between (a) the current cost of administering the British Indian Ocean Territory and (b) the proposed cost of leasing the Diego Garcia base from Mauritius.
It is established practice not to publish payments made for overseas military bases.The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office provides funding to the BIOT Administration to help support the good governance of the Territory. In FY 23/24, the FCDO provided £29.3 million of funding.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with President Trump about the future of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
The Foreign Secretary last spoke to President Trump in September, when they had a private dinner in New York with the Prime Minister. We do not disclose the details of private conversations. Regarding the future of Diego Garcia, it is right that the new US Administration has time to consider the detail of the Treaty in full and we will continue to engage closely.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what annual cost to the public purse is of the agreement with Mauritius on sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
The Agreement between the UK and Mauritius on 3 October will, for the first time in 50 years, secure the important UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. The base plays a crucial role in regional and international security. It is not normal practice for the...