Written questions by Blackman.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2026 to Question 1670 on SS Tilawa, if she will make a designation to protect the wreck of the SS Tilawa.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the security of Hindu and other religious minority communities in Bangladesh following the February 2026 election; and what representations she has made to the Bangladeshi authorities on protecting those communities.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 10 March in response to Question 112260.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the security of Hindu and other religious minority communities in Bangladesh following the February 2026 election; and what representations she has made to the Bangladeshi authorities on protecting those communities.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 10 March in response to Question 112260.

With reference to the Answer of 4 February 2026 to Question 907723 on Proof of Identity: Digital Technology, how much was spent on digital ID receive in the 2025-2026 financial year; and what is the proposed spend for the 2026-2027 financial year.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he has considered using the Armed Forces Bill 2026 to clarify the legal status of maritime wrecks connected to the United Kingdom’s war effort which are not currently afforded protection comparable to military maritime graves.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department conducted a value for money assessment of the WBPC rebuild-after-demolition cycle; and whether programme-specific due diligence was carried out before each funding renewal since 2015.

Awaiting answer.

Pursuant to the answer of 29 April to Question 129461, if he will outline (a) on what basis areas will be determined as having the highest health need; (b) a timeline for when the Choice Charter will be release; and (c) what the consultation process is for the development of the Charter.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the then Department for International Development conducted any written reassessment or value-for-money analysis after receiving the December 2019 evaluation report for Area C Development Programme Package IV (ENI/2017/384-622); and whether UK funding continued to that programme or successor programmes after receipt of that evaluation.

Documentation related to the Area C Development Programme is available on DevTracker at: DevTracker Programme GB-1-203452 - https://devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/programme/GB-1-203452/documents. Value for money is embedded across all of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's work. We employ robust systems and frameworks, and continuously review our programmes to ensure effectiveness, equality and non-discrimination, and the responsible use of UK taxpayers' money.

Whether he has considered using the Armed Forces Bill 2026 to clarify the legal status of maritime wrecks connected to the United Kingdom’s war effort which are not currently afforded protection comparable to military maritime graves.

Awaiting answer.

Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the work of the Gambling Act Review Evaluation Advisory Group.

Awaiting answer.

Whether she will make an assessment of the potential merits of designating the wreck of the SS Tilawa, sunk in 1942, as a protected heritage site in recognition of its status as a Commonwealth wartime loss.

The sinking of the SS Tilawa, and many other merchant vessels during the world wars, represents a tragic loss of life that we must all strive to remember and reflect upon. It is right that we honour and recognise this sacrifice and strive to ensure the grave sites of those who have been lost receive the highest levels of protection in accordance with international law and best practice.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether FCDO has conducted any written equality or non-discrimination assessment concerning the differential provision of UK-funded infrastructure, legal advocacy, or protection services between Palestinian and Jewish communities in Area C.

Documentation related to the Area C Development Programme is available on DevTracker at: DevTracker Programme GB-1-203452 - https://devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/programme/GB-1-203452/documents. Value for money is embedded across all of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's work. We employ robust systems and frameworks, and continuously review our programmes to ensure effectiveness, equality and non-discrimination, and the responsible use of UK taxpayers' money.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the then Department for International Development conducted any written assessment of the objective stated in the December 2019 evaluation report for Area C Development Programme Package IV (ENI/2017/384-622), which received €970,000 of direct DFID funding, against UK Official Development Assistance criteria.

Documentation related to the Area C Development Programme is available on DevTracker at: DevTracker Programme GB-1-203452 - https://devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/programme/GB-1-203452/documents. Value for money is embedded across all of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's work. We employ robust systems and frameworks, and continuously review our programmes to ensure effectiveness, equality and non-discrimination, and the responsible use of UK taxpayers' money.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take diplomatic steps to encourage the Government of Japan to acknowledge the sinking of the SS Tilawa in 1942, and for them to provide goodwill closure to known survivors and victims.

I refer the Hon Member to the answers he received on 27 April in response to Questions 128231 and 128238.

Media and Sport, with reference to the Answers of 22 April 2026 to Question 127321 on Gambling: Regulation and of 28 April 2026 to Question 128520 on Horse Racing: Gambling, for what reasons her Department has not updated Parliament on the work of the Gambling Act Review Evaluation Advisory Group.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he is taking to increase the proportion of patients being offered a choice of providers upon referral.

Patients have a legal right to choose where they go for their first appointment when referred to consultant-led care as an outpatient. The NHS Constitution for England and the NHS Standing Rules Regulations set out patients' legal rights to make choices about their healthcare. To support integrated care boards to understand and meet their obligations, NHS England published the Patient Choice Guidance in December 2023, which is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/patient-choice-guidance/The Government is committed to giving patients greater control and choice over their care, across constituencies. The Elective Reform Plan, published January 2025, sets out plans to improve patient choice, empowering people to take control of their health by making the NHS App and ‘Manage Your Referral’ website the default route for patients to choose their provider. To enable patients to make an informed choice, we are improving the information available to them, such as waiting times. The 10-Year Health Plan committed to a new ‘Choice Charter’, that will be rolled out progressively in areas of highest health need. The Choice Charter states five ‘mechanisms’ that sit within it, one of which is the commitment to the right to choose in electives.No assessment has been made of the impact in Harrow East constituency.

What steps he is taking to ensure that the merger of NHS England with his Department does not affect patients' right to choose healthcare providers.

Patients have a legal right to choose where they go for their first appointment when referred to consultant-led care as an outpatient. The NHS Constitution for England sets out patients' legal rights to make choices about their healthcare and the merger of NHS England with the Department of Health and Social Care will not affect these rights.My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is committed to empowering patients by giving them greater choice and control, in a National Health Service that is increasingly receptive and responsive to patient preference, voice, and choice. The 10-Year Health Plan sets out our ongoing commitment to patient choice, including by implementing a new patient Choice Charter to empower patients to be more involved in their own care and the NHS to be more patient-centred through mechanisms such as enhanced use of the NHS App, expanded self-referral options, meaningful choice of providers for elective treatments, funding models that reflect patient feedback, and expansion of personal health budgets.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of ensuring a choice of NHS provider is offered upon referral on patients in Harrow East constituency.

Patients have a legal right to choose where they go for their first appointment when referred to consultant-led care as an outpatient. The NHS Constitution for England and the NHS Standing Rules Regulations set out patients' legal rights to make choices about their healthcare. To support integrated care boards to understand and meet their obligations, NHS England published the Patient Choice Guidance in December 2023, which is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/patient-choice-guidance/The Government is committed to giving patients greater control and choice over their care, across constituencies. The Elective Reform Plan, published January 2025, sets out plans to improve patient choice, empowering people to take control of their health by making the NHS App and ‘Manage Your Referral’ website the default route for patients to choose their provider. To enable patients to make an informed choice, we are improving the information available to them, such as waiting times. The 10-Year Health Plan committed to a new ‘Choice Charter’, that will be rolled out progressively in areas of highest health need. The Choice Charter states five ‘mechanisms’ that sit within it, one of which is the commitment to the right to choose in electives.No assessment has been made of the impact in Harrow East constituency.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take diplomatic steps to encourage the Japanese government to formally acknowledge and apologise for the sinking of the SS Tilawa in 1942.

The sinking of the S.S. Tilawa was an appalling tragedy which continues to resonate eight decades on. Our thoughts remain with all the families who lost loved ones on that day, and the Government supports their efforts to commemorate the tragedy, including on the 84th anniversary later this year.Decisions on Japanese diplomatic representation are a matter for the Government of Japan, which has apologised several times for its wartime actions in recent decades. Over that time, the UK and Japan have worked hard to promote our shared values, including respect for human rights and the rule of law, and the mutual pursuit of peace and prosperity, and we will continue working with Japan to those ends in the years to come.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will take diplomatic steps to encourage the Government of Japan to acknowledge the sinking of the SS Tilawa in 1942; if she will support survivors and families by asking them to participate in the 84th anniversary commemoration on 23 November 2026 in London; and if she will take steps to encourage Japanese representation alongside Her Excellency Nimisha Madhvani.

The sinking of the S.S. Tilawa was an appalling tragedy which continues to resonate eight decades on. Our thoughts remain with all the families who lost loved ones on that day, and the Government supports their efforts to commemorate the tragedy, including on the 84th anniversary later this year.Decisions on Japanese diplomatic representation are a matter for the Government of Japan, which has apologised several times for its wartime actions in recent decades. Over that time, the UK and Japan have worked hard to promote our shared values, including respect for human rights and the rule of law, and the mutual pursuit of peace and prosperity, and we will continue working with Japan to those ends in the years to come.