Every parliamentary written question tabled by Helen Maguire this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 74 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential long-term impact of explosive ordnance contamination on civilian return rates in Ukraine and what steps the Government is taking to support NGOs and commercial companies delivering humanitarian mine action alongside state military aid.
Awaiting answer.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department is taking to promote British soft power through the mine action sector.
Awaiting answer.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support the protection of humanitarian demining personnel in Ukraine in the context of the attack on Norwegian People's Aid staff in Kherson Oblast on 24 June 2026.
Awaiting answer.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with international counterparts on improving the security and physical protection of humanitarian personnel operating in conflict zones in Ukraine.
Awaiting answer.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she is taking to hold the Russian Government accountable for missile strikes targeting humanitarian workers.
Awaiting answer.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department has taken and what mechanisms are being used to ensure that Article 15 of the 2025 UK-EU Common Understanding Agreement on cultural exchange and touring matters is being upheld.
Awaiting answer.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of whether the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London continues to operate solely for trade and economic purposes.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 May in response to Question 724.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the role of Hong Kong authorities in acts of transnational repression directed at individuals resident in the United Kingdom.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 March in response to question 118999.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the treatment of Bahá’ís in Iran.
The UK strongly condemns the repression of religious minorities in Iran, including members of the Baha'i faith.We were integral to the UN Human Rights Council adopting a resolution on 23 January renewing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Iran and t...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Ordinance XX on the religious freedom of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan; and if she will make representations to her Pakis
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 29 October 2025 to Question 83844.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussion she has had with her Afghan counterparts regarding the displacement of Afghan Christian women.
The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and we continue to recognise the issue of persecution of Christians globally on account of their faith, alongside the persecution of other groups. We also recognise that women and girls may face heightened and overlapping risks of persecution or violence where religious discrimination intersects with gender-based inequality, including in contexts where women's rights and freedoms are systematically restricted, such as Afghanistan.Last July, the UK Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, publicly set out the Government's approach to FoRB, providing a framework for UK engagement. Within this framework, we identified Afghanistan as one of ten focus countries for work on the issue. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to highlight FoRB violations on the international stage, through our position at the UN, G7, and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of attacks on female Christian converts in Central Asia.
The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and we continue to recognise the issue of persecution of Christians globally on account of their faith, alongside the persecution of other groups. We also recognise that women and girls may face heightened and overlapping risks of persecution or violence where religious discrimination intersects with gender-based inequality, including in contexts where women's rights and freedoms are systematically restricted, such as Afghanistan.Last July, the UK Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, publicly set out the Government's approach to FoRB, providing a framework for UK engagement. Within this framework, we identified Afghanistan as one of ten focus countries for work on the issue. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to highlight FoRB violations on the international stage, through our position at the UN, G7, and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department is taking diplomatic or humanitarian steps support female Christian converts globally.
The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and we continue to recognise the issue of persecution of Christians globally on account of their faith, alongside the persecution of other groups. We also recognise that women and girls may face heightened and overlapping risks of persecution or violence where religious discrimination intersects with gender-based inequality, including in contexts where women's rights and freedoms are systematically restricted, such as Afghanistan.Last July, the UK Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, publicly set out the Government's approach to FoRB, providing a framework for UK engagement. Within this framework, we identified Afghanistan as one of ten focus countries for work on the issue. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to highlight FoRB violations on the international stage, through our position at the UN, G7, and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has had discussions with international partners on coordinating updated travel guidance on the Hong Kong National Security Law.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 20 April in response to Question 127028.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Hong Kong National Security Law on the safety and legal rights of UK nationals (a) visiting and (b) residing in Hong Kong.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 20 April in response to Question 127028.
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.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 20 April in response to Question 127028.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support the freedom of worship for Palestinian Christians.
The UK remains committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all around the world including in Palestine. The UK Special Envoy for FoRB discussed the issue of access to holy sites during his visit to the Holy See in March 2026. The UK is concerned about recent restrictions on access to holy sites in Jerusalem. We have called on Israel to work with religious communities to facilitate access in line with the Status Quo, and ensure the right to worship is protected.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will raise the situation of Palestinian Christians with her Israeli counterparts.
The UK remains committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all around the world including in Palestine. The UK Special Envoy for FoRB discussed the issue of access to holy sites during his visit to the Holy See in March 2026. The UK is concerned about recent restrictions on access to holy sites in Jerusalem. We have called on Israel to work with religious communities to facilitate access in line with the Status Quo, and ensure the right to worship is protected.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with global counterparts on alleged human rights abuses in Uganda.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 12 February in response to Question 111609.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she and Cabinet colleagues have had with their Chinese counterpart on the expansion of China's nuclear weapons.
We engage in regular dialogue with China on security matters at both official and ministerial levels. These exchanges include discussions on nuclear weapons, conducted bilaterally as well as through the P5 process, which brings together the five nuclear weapon states recognised by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to discuss their obligations under it. We also hold an annual Counter‑Proliferation and Arms Control Dialogue with China, which covers nuclear issues. During his recent visit to Beijing, the Prime Minister raised broader issues of global stability with President Xi.