Written questions by Smith.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans she has to discuss the Ethnic Unity and Progress Law with her Chinese counterpart.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the statement by the European Council on 19 March 2026, whether she has made representations to the European Council on its intention to provide assistance

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, to what degree has the Government been committed to offer support regarding the sovereignty of the British Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, prior to the Europea

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with the Government of China on reports that released religious prisoners of conscience in China face exit bans and other post-release restric

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 March in response to question 118999.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her counterpart in Ireland on the (a) restricting and (b) ceasing of sales of aluminium to Russia.

The UK and Irish governments regularly discuss our staunch support for countering Russia's aggression in Ukraine, including international efforts to maximise pressure on the Russian war economy. We conduct similar conversations with the EU on a regular ba...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of China’s Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress on freedom of religion and belief for (a) Tibetans, (b) Uyghurs, (c

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 17 March in response to Question HL15305.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Peter Mandelson had access to the China audit at any stage.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) adequacy of UK sanctions in response to ongoing human rights violations in the Uyghur Region since 22 April 2021.

This Government stands firm on human rights, including in Xinjiang, where China continues to persecute and arbitrarily detain Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities. We continue to raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister raised human rights in his meeting with President Xi Jinping in January.We also continue to coordinate efforts with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations, for example by joining a statement led by Australia on Xinjiang and Tibet at the UN General Assembly last October.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking in response to the House of Commons motion of 22 April 2021 entitled Human Rights: Xinjiang.

This Government stands firm on human rights, including in Xinjiang, where China continues to persecute and arbitrarily detain Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities. We continue to raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister raised human rights in his meeting with President Xi Jinping in January.We also continue to coordinate efforts with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations, for example by joining a statement led by Australia on Xinjiang and Tibet at the UN General Assembly last October.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any goodwill payment or any other costs will be paid to the Mauritian Government as a result of the Diego Garcia Bill not having progressed through Parliament.

Costs associated with the Treaty cannot be paid without the relevant legislation being passed.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans she has to support access of supplies to Chagossians living on Peros Banhos.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the statement I made to the House on 13 April and the answer given on 27 April to question HL16223, and the answers I provided to questions raised in response, except for matters of ongoing litigation, where I am unable to comment at this time.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the cost to the public purse was of the recent search of a vessel with supplies for the Chagos Islands; and whether UK-based officials travelled to assist with this search.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the statement I made to the House on 13 April and the answer given on 27 April to question HL16223, and the answers I provided to questions raised in response, except for matters of ongoing litigation, where I am unable to comment at this time.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his Department's policy is on the right of abode for Chagossians on the Chagos Islands, with reference to the judgement of the Supreme Court of the British Indian Ocean Territory on 31 March 2026.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the statement I made to the House on 13 April and the answer given on 27 April to question HL16223, and the answers I provided to questions raised in response, except for matters of ongoing litigation, where I am unable to comment at this time.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of conditions for freedom of religion or belief in North Korea; and what discussions she has had with her North Korean counterpart on that topic.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer he received on 5 March in response to Question 114767.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which research projects her Department funds in China including those marked Beijing sensitive; and what the cost to the UK is of each of those projects.

I have written to the Rt Hon Member about this matter.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether in future financing for Ukraine, in line with the policy conditions for macro-financial assistance proposed by the European Parliament and the Council of Europe in its ‘Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and the of the Council implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the Ukraine Support Loan for 2026 and 2027’, the UK government will advocate that a proportion of any financial contribution be used to assist in the financing of compensation, as a form of reparation, to victims who have suffered harm as a result of Russia’s armed aggression.

We welcome the progress made towards delivery of the EU's €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan: this will be critical to meeting Ukraine's pressing needs. The loan's regulation also makes clear financing may be used by Ukraine to assist in the financing of compensation, as a form of reparations, to those individuals who have suffered damage from the illegal actions of Russia. This includes cases through the Claims Commission for Ukraine established under the auspices of the Council of Europe, of which the UK is a signatory. We remain committed to accountability and the principle that Russia should pay for the damage it has caused. We will continue to coordinate with G7 and EU partners to ensure that Ukraine gets the funding it needs.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to secure the release of Lindsay and Craig Foreman.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 March in response to Question 114825.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of Nikkei's investigation entitled Chinese state company helps Russian ally build ammunition plant, published on 23 February 2026.

We have taken action, including sanctions, against entities supporting Russia's military‑industrial complex. As the Prime Minister made clear in Beijing, we continue to urge China to prevent such activity and to use its influence to press Russia towards a just and lasting peace.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 24853 on North Korea: Christianity, what assessment she has made of the steps taken by Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in response to her Department's engagement on human rights issues, including on freedom of religion and belief.

The UK remains deeply concerned by the ongoing reports of severe persecution in North Korea for those adopting or practicing religion. We welcomed North Korea's participation in the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review's fourth cycle (in November 2024) and continue to urge North Korea to take concrete actions to fulfil its commitment to implement the accepted recommendations. We will continue to raise human rights issues with North Korean officials bilaterally and in multilateral fora, including to allow independent civil society organisations immediate and unhindered access to the country.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department's policies of Amnesty International's press release entitled Georgia: Elections marred by severe reprisals and risk of further violence, published on 3 October 2025.

I am aware of the report in question, and I have raised my own concerns about the imprisonment of opposition figures, pressure on civil society, and attacks on independent media directly with the Georgian Government. The UK will continues to raise those human rights issues with the Georgian authorities, and to work with international partners, including through the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), to support democratic standards and accountability.