Written questions by Blackman.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Hong Kong National Security Law on the (a) safety and (b) legal rights of UK nationals (i) visiting and (ii) residing in Hong Kong, including challenges associated with electronic device searches at border crossings; and whether her Department has engaged with international partners to coordinate updated travel guidance.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) keeps its travel advice under constant review, and last updated its advice for Hong Kong on 1 April to reflect the situation on the ground. The FCDO also publishes assessments on a six-monthly basis of compliance with the commitments set out in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong, the latest of which can be found at this link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/six-monthly-report-on-hong-kong-july-to-december-2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of current UK travel advice for Hong Kong; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the National Security Law on UK travellers and journalists operating in the territory.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) keeps its travel advice under constant review, and last updated its advice for Hong Kong on 1 April to reflect the situation on the ground. The FCDO also publishes assessments on a six-monthly basis of compliance with the commitments set out in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong, the latest of which can be found at this link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/six-monthly-report-on-hong-kong-july-to-december-2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to monitor developments in the implementation of Hong Kong’s National Security Law; and whether she plans to issue revised guidance to UK nationals on compliance with local authorities’ requests for access to personal data and electronic communications.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) keeps its travel advice under constant review, and last updated its advice for Hong Kong on 1 April to reflect the situation on the ground. The FCDO also publishes assessments on a six-monthly basis of compliance with the commitments set out in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong, the latest of which can be found at this link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/six-monthly-report-on-hong-kong-july-to-december-2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the administration and oversight of EU-funded programmes under the West Bank Protection Consortium; and whether she has undertaken any review of the UK's involvement or co-funding in relation to value for money and compliance with applicable procedures.

This financial year, we are continuing to fund lifesaving assistance to Palestinians, support to Gaza's early recovery, and activity to strengthen Palestinian institutions, governance, accountability and civil society, including reform of the Palestinian Authority.Before funding is committed and disbursed to any partners, we ensure that due diligence and value for money considerations are carried out in line with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office programme operating framework. We also monitor effectiveness through our general programme oversight including annual reviews, partner engagement, and monitoring visits to scrutinise performance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has contingency plans for supporting British citizens' foreign national relatives in UAE subject to travel bans in the event that British citizens are repatriated from that country.

We consider all requests for consular assistance on a case-by-case basis. British nationals abroad should continue to monitor our Travel Advice for the latest information on the support available to them, in a crisis scenario or otherwise. Immigration matters, including exit controls, are the responsibility of individual states.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to support its strategic partner Azerbaijan and the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia after the recent drone attacks launched from Iranian territory against Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

I spoke with Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, on 9 March, expressing the UK's full solidarity with Azerbaijan in the face of the unacceptable Iranian drone strikes on Nakhchivan Airport and nearby sites. The UK condemns such attacks for threatening Azerbaijan's security and undermining regional stability. I also strongly welcomed the positive momentum towards a comprehensive peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and made clear that the UK fully supports the ongoing efforts by both sides to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2026 to PQ 105193, whether she has made further recent representations to her Vietnamese counterpart on the detention of Y Quyn Bdap; and what steps she is taking to obtain up-to-date information on his wellbeing and access to legal counsel.

The situation remains as set out in the previous answer. We will report any updates to the House in the normal way in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Government of India on the killing of Dipu Chandra Das and measures to protect members of the Hindu community.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 12 January in response to Question 101933.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Government of Bangladesh and humanitarian agencies about helping to improve safety and protection for Rohingya refugees.

We remain concerned by the challenges faced by Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, as seen first hand by the Minister for International Development on her visit to the country in November last year. We regularly engaged with the former Interim Government of Bangladesh on security in, and around, the refugee camps and press for actions to improve the protection environment, and these issues were raised with then Chief Adviser Yunus by Baroness Chapman on her visit.We also fund protection services for women and girls, and seek to ensure that UK-funded Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) health and site management projects are sensitive to the needs of women and girls. The UK is working through local partners to address the humanitarian situation in the refugee camps and closely monitoring levels of need and security.In September, the Foreign Secretary announced £27 million of new funding for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and the communities which host them. This brought the UK's total support since 2017 to £447 million. This includes support to help refugees build skills for the future and reduce reliance on aid.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2026 to Question 98592, which independent organisation has been contracted to conduct the audit of Palestinian Authority curriculum reform.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 20 January 2026 to Question 104985.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make the approval of China’s new embassy conditional on the release of Jimmy Lai.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 14 July 2025 in response to Question 65869.