Written questions by Chowns.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his polices on global climate action of (a) the US Executive Order entitled Putting America First in International Climate Agreements, dated 20 January 2025 and (b) other polices of the new US Administration on (i) climate finance commitments and (ii) international agreements; and if he will take steps to increase levels of climate adaptation funding for developing countries.

The UK notes the US Executive Order entitled Putting America First in International Climate Agreements and other climate-related policy steps, these are a matter for the US. The UK will continue to work with all countries and partners to tackle the urgency of the climate and nature crisis and will pursue an energy policy that gets UK household bills down in the long-term. Our next International Climate Finance commitment will be carefully determined through the multi-year Spending Review.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the number of (a) non-bond and (b) other private creditors have reached debt restructuring agreements; and what information his Department holds on when Zambia is expected to complete the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatments.

Zambia has now reached agreement on restructurings with its official creditors and private bondholders, though progress was slow initially. Good faith negotiations continue with remaining commercial creditors. The UK has been clear that private creditors must play their part in debt restructurings. The Paris Club, and now the G20 as part of the Common Framework process, are also clear on our collective expectation that private creditors must participate in restructurings on terms at least as favourable as those provided by government creditors, to ensure comparability of treatment. The UK continues to push for the improvement and expansion of the Common Framework to all lower and middle-income countries, including through our participation in the Paris Club, G20 Finance Track, and the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he has made an assessment of the potential impact of statements on Gaza by President Trump on 4 February 2025 on the temporary Gaza ceasefire deal.

The government's objective remans a negotiated two-state solution, with a sovereign Palestinian state, which includes the West Bank and Gaza, alongside a safe and secure Israel. In order to deliver this, it is clear that Palestinian civilians must be permitted to return to their communities in Gaza and rebuild and that there can be no forcible transfer of Gazans from or within Gaza, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza Strip. The new US administration played an integral role in negotiating the ceasefire agreement, alongside Qatar and Egypt. The UK will continue to work closely with the US to sustain the fragile ceasefire, ensure that all the hostages are released, increase the supply of aid, and break the ongoing cycle of violence in pursuit of a permanent, sustainable peace.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Israeli counterparts for an independent investigation to be launched into the killing of two-year-old Palestinian child Laila Mohammad Ayman Khatib.

We cannot comment on individual cases, but we remain concerned by the situation in the West Bank and reiterate that Israel must ensure that civilians are protected. The Foreign Secretary has raised the situation in the West Bank and issues of international law compliance directly at the highest levels of the Israeli Government. This Government is clear that international law must be upheld, and civilians protected.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to help protect the (a) safety and (b) wellbeing of Palestinian children in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

We are alarmed by the impact of the Gaza conflict on children across the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). The UK has consistently pressed Israel to do more to protect civilians in Gaza, not least children, and for all parties to ensure adherence to international humanitarian law. We led calls on Israel to enable the rollout of the polio vaccine across Gaza and we have supported partners to deliver lifesaving aid to children, as well as educational and psychosocial services. This includes an additional £6 million for United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to support vulnerable families in Gaza announced in August 2024, and £41 million funding for United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) this financial year to provide essential services including education across Gaza, the West Bank and Palestinian refugees in the region. £5.8 million of the UK's contribution to the Global Partnership for Education has been earmarked to support essential education service delivery in Gaza and the West Bank. We are also one of the largest donors to the Education Cannot Wait initiative, contributing £1.64 million of its £9.65 million funding to Gaza this financial year.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of joining the School Meals Coalition.

The UK is assessing the latest evidence on the impact of school feeding interventions on nutrition, education and social protection and continues to track developments in the evidence base for school feeding interventions. We note, for example, the World Bank's Investment Framework for Nutrition from October 2024 which states that investing in the first 1000 days of a child's life is more effective and cost-effective for preventing and reducing malnutrition. We are not a member of the School Meals Coalition but actively engage in global dialogue on school feeding through other processes, such as the World Food Programme's Executive Board, the G7 and the G20.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraph 279 of the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion entitled Legal Consequences Arising From The Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Including East Jerusalem, published on 19 July 2024, if he will take steps to uphold the direction not to render (a) aid and (b) assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

We respect the International Criminal Court's independence and impartiality. 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. We are deeply concerned by the ongoing Israeli Defence Force military operation in the occupied West Bank and the attacks from Palestinian militants. We continue to press Israel to take all possible steps to avoid civilian casualties; allow the free passage of aid into Gaza; and prevent interference with humanitarian operations. We have been clear that if Israel's personnel are responsible for incidents, they should be held accountable.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' Humanitarian Situation Update No. 221 on the Gaza Strip, if he will have discussions with his Israeli counterpart on (a) the impact of air strikes on schools and (b) the proportion of school-age children who are accessing learning spaces in Gaza.

This Government is deeply concerned about the impact of the conflict on children, and the high level of destruction to civilian infrastructure in Gaza, including schools. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary continue to press Israeli leaders to take all steps to avoid civilian casualties and the importance of upholding International Humanitarian Law. The Foreign Secretary stated that he was appalled by the tragic loss of life as a result of the Israeli military strike on the al-Tabeen school. The UK supports humanitarian agencies such as United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to provide education services to civilians in Gaza, including through UK funding to Education Cannot Wait, which delivers education to children in crisis.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' Humanitarian Situation Update No. 221 on the Gaza Strip, if he will have discussions with his Israeli counterpart on the (a) proportion of (i) hospitals and (ii) primary healthcare facilities in Gaza that are not fully functional and (b) the shortages in (A) fuel, (B) medicine and (C) other essential supplies affecting such healthcare facilities; and what steps he is taking to support healthcare facilities in Gaza.

The FCDO is closely monitoring the impact of the conflict in Gaza on access to medical facilities and healthcare, and we are deeply concerned by reports of the destruction of hospitals and healthcare facilities. As set out in the Foreign Secretary's statement on 2 September, Israel could and must do more to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches civilians in Gaza. The Foreign Secretary continues to press Israeli leaders to ensure aid can flow freely into and within Gaza. Through our support for UK-Med, (including a further £5.5 million announced on 14 July) we are helping to run field hospitals in Gaza. We are also supporting other agencies such as United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund and World Food Programme to support vulnerable families with lifesaving water, healthcare and specialist treatment for malnourished children.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of implications for his policies of the points of action in the statement entitled Experts warn international order on a knife’s edge, urge States to comply with ICJ Advisory Opinion, published by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on 18 September 2024.

We note the statement by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on 18 September. The UK is fully committed to the international order, international law and the international rules based order. We continue to consider the ICJ's Advisory Opinion carefully. We are of the clear view that Israel should bring an end to its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as rapidly as possible - but we are clear that every effort must be made to create the conditions for negotiations towards the two-state solution. Our commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering. The UK abstained on the UN General Assembly resolution in September because it did not provide sufficient clarity to advance a negotiated two-state solution.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 July 2024 to Question 400 on British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies: Money Laundering and Tax Evasion, which jurisdictions (a) have made and (b) need to urgently accelerate progress; and if he will publish a timeline for the provision of a publicly accessible register of company beneficial ownership.

The Overseas Territories have committed to implement publicly accessible registers of company beneficial ownership, and set out timelines to do so, as outlined in a statement of 18 December 2023 (HCWS150).I have spoken with Overseas Territory leaders and made clear the need to meet these commitments and to continue efforts to maximise access. The UK Government remains committed to publicly accessible registers becoming the global norm.At the UK-OT Illicit Finance Dialogue on 7-9 October 2024, officials discussed progress, expectations and potential UK technical assistance on transparency measures, as well as other areas of cooperation and exchange.The FCDO works closely with the Home Office, who lead engagement with the Crown Dependencies on beneficial ownership transparency. These issues will be further discussed at the Joint Ministerial Council on 19-21 November.