Written questions by O'Hara.

When a General of the Israel Defense Forces last visited his Department.

The last visit to the Ministry of Defence by a General of the Israel Defense Forces took place on Wednesday 22 January 2024, by Major General Oded Basyuk.

When he last met a General of the Israel Defense Forces.

The Secretary of State for Defence last met with a General of the Israel Defense Forces on Friday 2 August 2024, during a visit to hold an introductory meeting with the Israeli Defence Minister, and discuss efforts to reduce the risk of escalation in the Middle East.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) humanitarian and (b) security situation for (i) Orthodox Christians and (ii) other minority communities in Gaza.

The UK has always been clear that an immediate ceasefire is just the first step towards a lasting solution to this crisis. We remain focused on pushing for an end to the devastating violence in Gaza, protecting civilians, ensuring the release of all hostages and an increase in humanitarian aid into Gaza. Officials from the British Consulate General in Jerusalem have regular engagements with the Christian community in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, to understand the impact of the conflict and Israeli occupation on Christian Palestinians. The UK champions, and remains strongly committed to, Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) for all abroad. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We are championing the right to FoRB and promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our engagement in multilateral organisations, our bilateral work and our programme funding.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Thai counterpart on reported plans to deport 43 Uyghur men to China.

The UK government is seriously concerned about reports that detained Uyghurs in Thailand are at risk of imminent refoulment.We have raised the issue directly with the Thai Government and continue to work closely with likeminded partners. We continue to urge Thailand, as a State Party to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and at a minimum in accordance with refugee law obligations under customary international law not to undertake the refoulment of these individuals to China.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on how many occasions a representative of the Government has raised the case of Alaa Abd el-Fattah with the Egyptian government since December 2021.

The UK remains committed to securing Alaa Abd El-Fattah's release so he can be reunited with his family. The Foreign Secretary has repeatedly raised Mr El-Fattah's case with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, most recently during his visit to Egypt on 23 January. The Prime Minister wrote to President Sisi to raise Mr El-Fattah's case on 8 January. The National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, raised with the Foreign Minister on 2 January on a visit to Cairo. The UK will use the upcoming Universal Periodic Review on Egypt in January to raise issues relating to human rights. Officials and the Ambassador raise this continually with Egyptian counterparts.

If he will made an assessment of the potential merits of changing the Smart Energy Code licence restrictions to allow companies setting up smart meter connections for energy consumers to use the Cellular Network when the Radio Frequency Network is unavailable.

Under its licence, the Data Communication Company (DCC) is obligated to provide Wide Area Network (WAN) coverage to at least 99.5% of premises across its ‘North’ region. DCC is currently taking forward its strategy for ongoing communications in the North and is considering a full range of technical solutions. Once the DCC has determined its future strategy the Department will support necessary changes being made to the Smart Energy Code.

Whether he has plans to repeal the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Victims) Act 2021.

We have no plans to repeal the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the (a) national unity government and (b) ethnic revolutionary organisations from Myanmar.

We continue to meet regularly with a range of pro-democracy actors from Myanmar, including senior representatives from the National Unity Government (NUG) and from a number of Ethnic Resistance Organisations (EROs). The UK stands in solidarity with those calling for a return to democracy in Myanmar and we are committed to supporting a plurality of voices. The UK is clear that any future settlement for Myanmar, must be inclusive, and involve a wide range of opposition actors, including the NUG and EROs. The Myanmar military regime must engage with them and all other opposition groups.

Whether he plans to respond to the recommendations of the report entitled Strengthening UK Military Investigations into Civilian Harm, published by the Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights on 26 November 2024.

I thank the hon. Member for raising this report with the Department. Where the UK undertakes military action, it is conducted in full accordance with UK and international law. Military action is meticulously planned in accordance with the recognised IHL principles of proportionality, military necessity, distinction and humanity, as well as in line with relevant policies such as the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict; Joint Service Publication 985 – Human Security in Defence. Great care is taken to minimise the risk of harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure, and this sits at the core of our approach. Working level discussions are ongoing between Ministry of Defence officials, our allies, and civil society organisations to share and promote best practice on civilian harm mitigation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which Department leads on the International Criminal Court Act 2001.

Policy on the International Criminal Court (ICC), including the ICC Act (2001), is owned by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

What discussions he has had with the Dutch Ministry of Defence on civilian harm mitigation and response.

Working level discussions have taken place between officials from the Ministry of Defence and Dutch Ministry of Defence on civilian harm mitigation and response. This has also included officials from the US Department of Defence as well as officials from Defence Ministries of other allies. The aim of these discussions is to advance engagement between allies on sharing and promoting best practice on civilian harm mitigation within respective Armed Forces.

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the potential impact of recent changes to the Winter Fuel Payment on pensioners in Scotland.

This Government is supporting pensioners through increasing pension credit uptake and protecting the triple lock. This means an increase in the state pension for a million Scottish pensioners of up to £470 next year, on top of up to £900 this year.This year marks twenty five years since the previous Labour Government delivered devolution in Scotland, one of its proudest achievements. I understand the SNP Government plans to use some of their record budget settlement to make different choices on this devolved policy area - that’s devolution in action. The Honourable Gentleman may wish to ask himself how he can justify voting against Scotland getting that record settlement.

What discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on ensuring that any information gathered by unarmed RAF surveillance flights over Gaza can be used solely in relation to locating Israeli hostages.

The Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) mandate is narrowly defined to focus on securing the release of the hostages only, including British nationals. Only information relating to hostage rescue will be passed to the relevant authorities. The MOD has robust policies, practices and processes which are entirely consistent with our legal obligations under domestic and international law. The Secretary of State for Defencec, and MOD officials, have regular discussions with their Israeli counterparts on the remaining hostages and other matters, including complying with International Humanitarian Law and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

What steps his Department is taking to implement a mechanism to ensure that intelligence information shared with the Israeli government is used within the boundaries of international humanitarian law, and what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on ensuring that any information provided is used in compliance with international humanitarian law.

The Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) mandate is narrowly defined to focus on securing the release of the hostages only, including British nationals. Only information relating to hostage rescue will be passed to the relevant authorities. The MOD has robust policies, practices and processes which are entirely consistent with our legal obligations under domestic and international law. The Secretary of State for Defencec, and MOD officials, have regular discussions with their Israeli counterparts on the remaining hostages and other matters, including complying with International Humanitarian Law and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Whether his Department has established a process for the (a) assessment and (b) retention of evidence gathered by unarmed RAF surveillance flights over Gaza.

Our mandate is narrowly defined to focus on securing the release of the hostages only. We are unable comment further on detailed intelligence matters for operational security reasons.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he (a) has made an assessment and (b) plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of imposing sanctions on individual members of the Israeli cabinet.

The UK government condemns the unacceptable language that has been used by Israeli ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir. Israel should condemn this language and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions. The UK government does not speculate about possible future sanctions designations, as to do so could reduce their impact.