Written questions by Thornberry.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 50829 on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, whether his Department plans to introduce primary legislation to give effect to the treaty once ratified.

The Government is completely committed to ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement, also known as the "High Seas Treaty" or "Global Ocean Treaty"), which is in line with our determination to reinvigorate the UK's wider international leadership on climate and nature. Legislation to implement the BBNJ Agreement will be introduced as soon as the legislative timetable allows.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the 2030 Roadmap for UK-Israel Bilateral Relations remains his Department's policy.

As the Foreign Secretary said in his statement to the house on 20 May, the UK will be reviewing our cooperation with Israel on the UK-Israel 2030 Bilateral roadmap. This Government remains steadfast in supporting Israel in its defence against terrorism and the malign activities of Iran, but the continued actions of this Israeli Government mean that it is necessary for the UK Government to take these steps.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2025 to Question 35215 on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, what progress he has made on securing parliamentary time to progress the ratification of the treaty.

The Government is completely committed to ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement, also known as the "High Seas Treaty" or "Global Ocean Treaty"), which is in line with our determination to reinvigorate the UK's wider international leadership on climate and nature. Legislation to implement the BBNJ Agreement will be introduced as soon as the legislative timetable allows.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in his Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent.

The FCDO's UK Estate comprises five primary sites in the UK. Each building has a separated operational budget from which furniture and fittings are procured, either by planned projects or through reactive requests. Office refurbishments are completed as required and are not seen as specific to Ministerial requirements. We are unable to separate costs specifically for Ministerial offices within the deadline period due to the complexities created by separating expenditure. However, previously we have been able to confirm no specific works in Ministerial offices between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2023.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many government procurement cards were held by staff within (a) his core Department and (b) executive agencies of his Department at the end of calendar years (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

We are unable to provide data as at the end of the calendar years requested, but in mid-January 2023 and 2024 respectively: Core Department Government Procurement Cards (GPCs) held = i) 4,590 ii) 5,472Executive Agencies of department GPCs held = i) nil ii) nil Government Procurement Cards provide an efficient route to enable key staff to procure goods and services, necessary to the promotion of British interests overseas and the maintenance of our embassies and high commissions. All purchases are subject to authorisation by managers and audit checks.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much his Department spent on government procurement card purchases (a) above and (b) below £500 net of refunded payments in (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Government Procurement Cards provide an efficient route to enable key staff to procure goods and services, necessary to the promotion of British interests overseas and the maintenance of our embassies and high commissions. All purchases are subject to authorisation by managers and audit checks.The FCDO publishes £500+ spend on gov.uk, and the monthly breakdown can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fcdo-spending-over-500.With regards to sub-£500 spend, the total for 2022 is £13,434,713, and for 2023 is £15,106,232. To note, the total value of refunds in the period has been deducted from the total value of purchases in the period in the data presented; some refunds may relate to purchases in the previous period.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2024 to Question 4342 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Electronic Purchasing Card Solution, for what reason his Department was unable to meet its target to publish the historic (a) £500 (period November-2022 to July-2024 inclusive) and (b) £25,000 (period June-2022 to July-2024 inclusive) spend files by the end of September; and when he now plans to publish them.

The FCDO publishes its transparency publications in accordance with the cross-Government transparency schedule, determined by Cabinet Office. The September 2024 transparency publication was postponed and therefore the publication of these reports has been delayed.The FCDO is targeting the next cross-Government transparency day to publish the historic files, presently scheduled for the end of November 2024.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 20 March 2023 to Question 165277 on Diplomatic Service: British Nationals Abroad, how many UK nationals were provided with consular assistance after reporting that they had been a victim of (a) domestic violence or abuse and (b) rape or other sexual assault in calendar year 2023.

Between 1 January and 16 October 2023, The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provided consular assistance in 214 new victim of crime cases related to domestic violence and 355 new victim of crime cases related to rape and sexual assault.The FCDO introduced a new consular case management system in October 2023. A transition phase is in progress and therefore we are currently unable to provide the data requested between 16 October 2023 and 31 December 2023.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 20 March 2023 to Question 165278 on Diplomatic Service: British Nationals Abroad, how many UK nationals were provided with consular assistance after reporting that they had been a victim of (a) assault and (b) theft in calendar year 2023.

Between 1 January and 16 October 2023, The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provided consular assistance in 228 new victim of crime cases related to assault and 260 new victim of crime cases related to theft.The FCDO introduced a new consular case management system in October 2023. A transition phase is in progress and therefore we are currently unable to provide the data requested between 16 October 2023 and 31 December 2023.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of Wednesday 6 November to Questions 12253, 12254, 12255 and 12256 on Government Hospitality: Wines and Government Hospitality: Spirits, who the attendees were of the December 2023 Minister-led event to mark the centenary of the Government Wine Cellar.

Pursuant to the answer to questions 12253, 12254, 12255 and 12256 attendees at the December 23 Centenary event were the Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, Minister responsible for the Government Wine Cellar at that time, Chairs and Members of the Government Wine Committee, past and present, their guests and two officials.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Government Hospitality wine cellar biennial report 2022 to 2024, published on 31 October 2024, for what occasion was a bottle of 1922 Hine Cognac consumed in the 2023-24 financial year.

The cognac, wine, and port referenced were consumed at a Minister-led event to mark the centenary of the Government Wine Cellar in December 2023.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Government Hospitality wine cellar biennial report 2022 to 2024, published on 31 October 2024, for what occasions were two bottles of 1989 Batard-Montrachet white Burgundy consumed in the 2022-23 financial year.

The cognac and wine referred to formed part of the Government Wine Committee's tasting. The Committee, which convenes three times a year, provides advice on the management of the Government Wine Cellar.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Government Hospitality wine cellar biennial report 2022 to 2024, published on 31 October 2024, for what occasions were three bottles of 1931 Quinta do Noval port consumed in the 2023-24 financial year.

The cognac, wine, and port referenced were consumed at a Minister-led event to mark the centenary of the Government Wine Cellar in December 2023.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Government Hospitality wine cellar biennial report 2022 to 2024, published on 31 October 2024, for what occasions were four bottles of 1983 Chateau Margaux Bordeaux consumed in the 2023-24 financial year.

The cognac, wine, and port referenced were consumed at a Minister-led event to mark the centenary of the Government Wine Cellar in December 2023.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Government Hospitality wine cellar biennial report 2022 to 2024, published on 31 October 2024, for what occasion was a half bottle of 1948 Frapin Grande Champagne Cognac consumed in the 2022-23 financial year.

The cognac and wine referred to formed part of the Government Wine Committee's tasting. The Committee, which convenes three times a year, provides advice on the management of the Government Wine Cellar.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Government Hospitality wine cellar biennial report 2022 to 2024, published on 31 October 2024, for what occasions were six bottles of 1988 Echezeaux Domaine Dujac red Burgundy consumed in the 2023-24 financial year.

The cognac, wine, and port referenced were consumed at a Minister-led event to mark the centenary of the Government Wine Cellar in December 2023.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress his Department has made on developing a children in conflict strategy.

The UK is committed to preventing and ending grave violations against children in conflict. We support affected children through our humanitarian funding and support to education in conflict and crises. The UK is an active member of the UN Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, aiming to ensure effective scrutiny of conflicts where children are harmed and holding perpetrators to account. Ministers will take a decision on new FCDO strategies in due course.