Written questions by Eastwood.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will review the decision to withhold documents relating to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s role as UK Special Representative for Trade and Industry until 2065.

The release of historical records relating to members of the Royal Family is governed by the Public Records Act, the application of Freedom of Information exemptions that persist beyond 20 years, and the Code of Practice on the Management of Records issued under section 46 the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) continues to operate in accordance with these statutory obligations. The FCDO does not set the legislation nor define which individuals are covered by the legislation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to support Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

The UK plays a leading role in responding to the humanitarian needs of vulnerable groups across Lebanon.This year, the UK has provided £15.5 million in programming budget support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). UNRWA programming supports Palestinians in Lebanon, Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, and Syria. The UK's funding contributes to UNRWA's delivery of basic education, health, relief services, and humanitarian aid to Palestinians.This financial year, the UK has also spent £33.5 million in humanitarian support focussed on Lebanon's most vulnerable and marginalised populations. This support includes a partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), which supports 'Makani' community centres across Lebanon, including in 11 Palestinian camps and gatherings. These centres provide Early Childhood Education and Retention Support to 1,200 vulnerable Palestinian children.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Israeli counterpart about the continued Israeli bombing in south Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.

The UK is concerned by reports of escalating strikes by Israel on Lebanon, and of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers being affected by Israeli military activity. All necessary measures must be taken to protect UNIFIL personnel and premises and allow them to fulfil their mandate.The UK continues to call for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the Cessation of Hostilities agreement between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah. On my recent visit to Southern Lebanon, I repeated those calls, and reiterated the UK's support for Lebanon's plan to disarm non-state actors, including Lebanese Hizballah.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps the Government is taking to help ensure a ceasefire in Lebanon.

The UK is concerned by reports of escalating strikes by Israel on Lebanon, and of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers being affected by Israeli military activity. All necessary measures must be taken to protect UNIFIL personnel and premises and allow them to fulfil their mandate.The UK continues to call for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the Cessation of Hostilities agreement between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah. On my recent visit to Southern Lebanon, I repeated those calls, and reiterated the UK's support for Lebanon's plan to disarm non-state actors, including Lebanese Hizballah.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Israeli counterpart about Israel’s occupation of parts of south Lebanon.

The UK is concerned by reports of escalating strikes by Israel on Lebanon, and of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers being affected by Israeli military activity. All necessary measures must be taken to protect UNIFIL personnel and premises and allow them to fulfil their mandate.The UK continues to call for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the Cessation of Hostilities agreement between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah. On my recent visit to Southern Lebanon, I repeated those calls, and reiterated the UK's support for Lebanon's plan to disarm non-state actors, including Lebanese Hizballah.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of the Israel Defense Forces statement that it fired at two UN peacemakers.

The UK is concerned by reports of escalating strikes by Israel on Lebanon, and of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers being affected by Israeli military activity. All necessary measures must be taken to protect UNIFIL personnel and premises and allow them to fulfil their mandate.The UK continues to call for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the Cessation of Hostilities agreement between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah. On my recent visit to Southern Lebanon, I repeated those calls, and reiterated the UK's support for Lebanon's plan to disarm non-state actors, including Lebanese Hizballah.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment the government has made of how the parties have respected the November 2024 ceasefire in Lebanon.

The UK is concerned by reports of escalating strikes by Israel on Lebanon, and of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers being affected by Israeli military activity. All necessary measures must be taken to protect UNIFIL personnel and premises and allow them to fulfil their mandate.The UK continues to call for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the Cessation of Hostilities agreement between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah. On my recent visit to Southern Lebanon, I repeated those calls, and reiterated the UK's support for Lebanon's plan to disarm non-state actors, including Lebanese Hizballah.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the statement of 14 November 2025 by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon that Israel’s wall in southern Lebanon has crossed the Blue Line and made 4000sq metres of Lebanese territory inaccessible to Lebanese people.

The UK is concerned by reports of escalating strikes by Israel on Lebanon, and of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers being affected by Israeli military activity. All necessary measures must be taken to protect UNIFIL personnel and premises and allow them to fulfil their mandate.The UK continues to call for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the Cessation of Hostilities agreement between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah. On my recent visit to Southern Lebanon, I repeated those calls, and reiterated the UK's support for Lebanon's plan to disarm non-state actors, including Lebanese Hizballah.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of Ministers travelling to settlements deemed illegal under international law.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office did not provide support. UK Government Ministers do not visit Israeli-run institutions in the West Bank.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department provided support to Paul Givan MLA on his recent official visit to the Ofek school in Jerusalem.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office did not provide support. UK Government Ministers do not visit Israeli-run institutions in the West Bank.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his policy is on ministerial visits to Israeli-run state institutions beyond the Green Line.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office did not provide support. UK Government Ministers do not visit Israeli-run institutions in the West Bank.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on the (a) conditions and (b) treatment of Palestinian (i) prisoners, (ii) abductees and (iii) detainees.

Since taking office, the Foreign Secretary has visited Israel and the OPTs three times and continues to speak regularly with his Israeli counterpart. During these interactions, the Foreign Secretary has raised the UK's deep concerns about reports of the mistreatment of detainees. We continue to reiterate calls for Israel to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) unfettered and immediate access to detention facilities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if his representative for Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories will meet with (a) Addameer, (b) Defence for Children International Palestine and (c) other Palestinian organisations representing (i) prisoners, (ii) detainees and (iii) abductees.

The Foreign Secretary's Representative for Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (FSRHA) regularly meets with NGOs, to discuss topics including prisoners and detainees. This has mostly been organised via the Palestine Platform and the BOND Israel-OPTs Working Group - both collectives of different NGOs that work on Israel and the OPTs. The Foreign Secretary, the Minister for Development and I regularly meet NGOs, including those which represent prisoners and detainees. This includes me and the Minister for Development meeting quarterly with international NGOs working on Israel and the OPTs, including discussions about prisoners and detainees. The UK remains deeply concerned by reports of the mistreatment of detainees. We continue to reiterate calls for Israel to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) unfettered and immediate access to detention facilities. We continue to raise this with the Israeli government as a priority, including during the Foreign Secretary's three visits to Israel and the OPTs since taking office.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on the escalation of violence in the West Bank.

The risk of rising instability in the West Bank is serious, and the need for de-escalation urgent. The UK has been clear that it is in no-one's interest for further conflict and instability to spread in the West Bank. We continue to call on Israeli authorities to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions. Settler violence is unacceptable, and the UK continues to urge the Israeli government to act to stop settler violence. We continue to raise violence in the West Bank with Israeli counterparts. As the Foreign Secretary said in his statement on 15 January, much remains to be done - to implement all phases of the deal in full and establish a pathway to lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on attacks on (a) international aid agencies and (b) their (i) facilities and (ii) staff in northern Gaza.

We welcome the agreement to end the fighting in Gaza. It is the first step in ensuring long-term peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians and the wider region, bringing much-needed stability. The Foreign Secretary met Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar in Israel on 13 January. He urged Israel not to endanger United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East's (UNRWA) ability to operate, and to prevent the collapse of the humanitarian response. I have also raised my concerns about the situation in northern Gaza with both the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister and the Israeli Ambassador, including the safety of civilians and medical workers. At the UN Security Council earlier this month, we shared our horror at the deterioration of healthcare in Gaza and urged Israel to abide by its international obligations, including those set out in UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2286.Israel must do much more to ensure that civilians are protected, that much more aid can be delivered and that the UN and humanitarian partners can work safely and effectively. This includes ensuring effective deconfliction mechanisms and visa processes for international non-governmental organisations (INGOs).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the UN Secretary General’s response to the Colombian government’s rapid response plan aimed at overcoming delays in implementing the 2016 Peace Agreement.

We welcomed the Colombian government's announcement of a new rapid response plan for implementation of the 2016 Agreement at the UN Security Council (UNSC) Session in July. In particular, we welcomed its focus on territorial transformation and the appointment of a senior Cabinet Minister responsible for its implementation. We continue to engage with the Colombian government to support them on this. During her visit to Colombia in November, Baroness Chapman met with Interior Minister Cristo to discuss the rapid response plan and reiterated our commitment to implementing the 2016 Peace Agreement. The Foreign Secretary also met with Foreign Minister Murillo in September, to reiterate the UK's commitment towards the peace process in Colombia.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to make representations on (a) a right of return for Armenians and (b) the release of detained Armenians during the COP29 summit.

The Government has encouraged Azerbaijan to provide clarity on the rights and security of ethnic Armenians displaced by conflict who wish to return to Nagorno-Karabakh. The UK continues to urge Azerbaijan to ensure that those detained during September 2023's military action in Nagorno-Karabakh are afforded a fair trial and provided safe conditions. Regarding the remaining prisoners of war, we have been consistent in calling for their release and for the return of the remains of the deceased throughout the period of conflict in the region. I discussed these issues with Azerbaijani counterparts in the run-up to COP29.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Famine Review Committee's alert entitled, Gaza Strip, Published on 8 November 2024.

The Famine Review Committee's warning that areas of northern Gaza likely face imminent famine is appalling. At a UK-chaired meeting of the UN Security Council on 12 November, Lord Collins called on Israel to finally, and immediately, make good on its commitment to flood Gaza with aid. The Prime Minister stressed this in a call with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on 19 October; the Foreign Secretary reiterated this in his call with the then Foreign Minister Israel Katz on 27 October. We continue to play a leading role in alleviating the suffering in Gaza, including by matching up to £10 million of public donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee's Middle East humanitarian appeal.