Written questions by Smith.

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.

Whether security concerns were raised by officials in his Department prior to the procurement and implementation of Bambu Lab 3D printers for use in critical drone production; what due diligence his Department undertook before adopting its cloud-based 3D printing technology; and what steps he is taking to ensure that data relating to UK defence capabilities is adequately protected.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) maintains rigorous security procedures to ensure the protection of all sensitive information and capabilities. Bambu Lab 3D printers are used within the MOD as part of limited trial and experimentation activity. These printers are not connected to the defence network, nor are they employed to manufacture sensitive components. The MOD does not currently use any cloud-based 3D printing services; however, a cyber assessment is under way to evaluate the potential opportunities, risks and security requirements associated with any future adoption of such technologies.

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.

What steps he is taking to ensure NHS professionals are aware of personalised cancer vaccines.

The NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) is a platform set up to accelerate the development of cancer vaccines and speed up access to mRNA personalised cancer vaccine clinical trials for cancer patients. The CVLP has been instrumental in accelerating trial activity in cancer research, with CVLP sites driving faster activation and enrolment timelines.The CVLP provides an extended network of referral sites to broaden trial access and to identify eligible patients through genetic analysis, working with the Vaccine Innovation Pathway to optimise patient recruitment. This means that patients can be recruited from across parts of the country and means that the United Kingdom was the fastest recruiting country for the first international trial of personalised vaccination after surgery for colorectal cancer.As the CVLP continues its phased scale-up across the country, professional awareness is being driven by the expansion of participating trial sites and use of the referral network.

What new personalised treatments for glioblastoma are being assessed.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for assessing new medicines to ensure they meet the required standards of quality, safety, and efficacy before they can be authorised for use in the United Kingdom. The MHRA conducts a rigorous, evidence‑based scientific review of all applications for marketing authorisation and assesses them against statutory timelines. Northwest Biotherapeutics has submitted a marketing authorisation application to the MHRA for DCVax®-L, an immunotherapy for glioblastoma. The MHRA cannot comment on individual applications while they are under assessment but is committed to enabling safe and effective new treatments to reach patients as quickly as possible once the necessary standards are met.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations for the National Health Service on whether all new licensed medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS based on an assessment of clinical and cost effectiveness. NICE aims wherever possible to issue recommendations on new medicines close to the time of licensing. NICE is in discussions with the manufacturer of DCVax-L, Northwest Biotherapeutics, about a potential appraisal subject to licensing.

What the average life expectancy is for (a) newly diagnosed and (b) recurrent glioblastoma patients in the NHS over the last 10 years.

The National Disease Registration Service (NDRS) in NHS England, as the national cancer registry, collects diagnosis, treatment, and outcome data on cancer patients in England. The NDRS does not routinely publish statistics on life expectancy.However, NHS England publishes survival data for all cancers, including brain cancer, which includes glioblastoma. Currently, glioblastoma is not included as a separate cancer group in our routine statistics.The latest data shows one year survival after diagnosis is 41.7% and five‑year survival for brain cancer is 12.9%. The data can be found at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-survival-in-england/cancers-diagnosed-2016-to-2020-followed-up-to-2021The Government recognises that glioblastoma is an aggressive and fast‑growing form of brain cancer with poor outcomes and is committed to improving outcomes and investing in research for brain cancers, including glioblastoma. The National Cancer Plan includes a strong focus on rarer and less common cancers, such as brain tumours, to drive earlier diagnosis, improved care, and better survival.

What steps his Department is taking to help small-volume automotive manufacturers access the US market.

The Economic Prosperity Deal has reduced tariffs for UK exporters in critical sectors such as the car industry - this includes a preferential rate of 10% on 100,000 UK cars exported to the US each year.The UK exports around 100,000 cars a year, so this quota will ensure most cars entering the US will do so at a preferential rate.We are also providing targeted export support through our exports programme and engaging in wider trade policy dialogues with the US.

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.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has contingency plans in place if funds from the 2022 sale of Chelsea Football Club are not released within the authorised period.

I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the answer provided on 16 February to question 112094.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK's signing of the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine, what the Government’s timeline is for bringing forward the legislation required to ratify the Convention.

Russia must be held accountable for its illegal actions in Ukraine. The UK is a founding member of the Register of Damage and I signed the Convention to establish an International Claims Commission for Ukraine on 16 December 2025. We expect to lay the treaty before Parliament in the current parliamentary session, with further domestic steps required for ratification to follow in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the decision to issue a licence authorising the release within 90 days of the proceeds from the 2022 sale of Chelsea Football Club for humanitarian support in Ukraine, what the deadline is for the completion of this process.

On 17 December 2025, His Majesty's Government issued a licence which permits the transfer of over £2.5 billion proceeds from the club's sale into a new foundation for humanitarian purposes in Ukraine. We would have preferred to take this action with the cooperation of Mr Abramovich and his company, Fordstam Ltd, and we continue to urge him to honour the commitments he made in 2022. But if Mr Abramovich fails to act quickly, this Government is fully prepared to go to court to enforce his previous commitments if necessary.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of the evidence used by the US in its designation of Bidzina Ivanishvili; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of applying sanctions on people linked to the repression of (a) civil society, (b) independent media and (c) political oppression in Georgia.

The UK remains resolute in our support for civil society, independent media and democratic freedoms in Georgia. Legislation introduced by the Georgian Government over recent years continues to target non-governmental organisations, opposition leaders and independent voices. We are monitoring developments closely and working with international partners. The UK has imposed targeted sanctions on senior Interior Ministry figures responsible for violent attacks on protesters, judges for abusing their positions, and high-ranking officials for enabling serious human rights violations. I cannot comment on potential future sanctions designations, as doing so could undermine their effectiveness.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of removing the wear and tear allowance for childminders under Making Tax Digital.

Childminders play a vital role in childcare. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers. Only a small proportion of childminders with qualifying income over £50,000 will be mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income tax from April 2026. Childminders moving to MTD for income tax can continue to claim tax relief for household costs, wear and tear of household items and furniture, and food and drink, by deducting actual business costs. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business. The Government will monitor the impact of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax on childminders and other home-based childcare providers in the same way as it will for all sole traders moving to MTD for income tax.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her Nigerian counterparts regarding the arbitrary detention of Mr Nnamdi Kanu and what steps she is taking to secure his release.

I refer the Rt Hon member to the answer provided for 87707 on 19 November 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she has taken with her international counterparts to help ensure the independence of Armenia’s Apostolic Christian Church.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 November 2025 to Question 89462.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of Prime Minister of Armenia moving to enact state control of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 November 2025 to Question 89462.