Written questions by Blackman.

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, 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 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 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, what concessions are being sought by China on His Majesty’s Government’s decision to approve the planning application for China’s new embassy.

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

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.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make planning permission for China’s new embassy contingent on the release of political prisoners in Hong Kong.

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

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether conditions haven been made as a prerequisite by his Chinese counterparts in advance of the Prime Minister’s trip to Beijing.

The Prime Minister's travel will be confirmed in the usual way.This Government is taking 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 and challenge where we must.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government will call for the removal of Chinese sanctions on British parliamentarians during the proposed trip to Beijing

The Prime Minister's travel will be confirmed in the usual way.This Government is taking 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 and challenge where we must.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if the Government will call for the removal of bounties placed on Hong Kong democracy activists living in the UK during the proposed trips to Beijing.

The Prime Minister's travel will be confirmed in the usual way.This Government is taking 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 and challenge where we must.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 79968, which organisation will conduct that audit; when it is scheduled to begin; and how its findings will be reported to the UK.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 16 December in response to Question 98592.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Iranian counterpart on the recent detention of Baha’i, Aminollah Koushkbaghi; and what diplomatic steps she is taking to ensure his release.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided to question 67802 on 6 August 2025, and add that we are aware of the reported case concerning Aminollah Koushkbaghi, and are monitoring the situation for Baha'is more widely.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Bangladeshi counterpart on the recent Islamist rally to declare the Ahmadiyya community as non-Muslim; and what diplomatic steps she is taking with international counterparts to ensure the protection of that community.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 10 November in response to Question 87224.