Written questions by Cartlidge.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to continue the ratification of the Chagos Treaty.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 2 March to question 111415.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March to Question 116021 on Mauritius: Ministers, whether any meetings have taken place between ministers from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius since August 2025.

No.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) she or (b) any of her ministerial colleagues have met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius since (i) 5 July 2024 and (ii) August 2025.

No meetings took place between ministers from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius from the period 5 July 2024 to August 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 62275 on Defence: Finance, when the amount of his Department's contribution will be (a) determined and (b) published.

A proportion of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) non-Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme spend will contribute to the UK NATO target across the Spending Review period. This spend will be part of the FCDO budget, not the Defence budget. The final total quantum will be determined through the multi-year programme allocations process. The FCDO will continue to publish non-ODA programme spending plans in the normal way through the Annual Report and Accounts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June to Question 62275 on Defence: Finance, whether the FCDO contribution referred to will be included in the Defence budget in 2028.

A proportion of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) non-Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme spend will contribute to the UK NATO target across the Spending Review period. This spend will be part of the FCDO budget, not the Defence budget. The final total quantum will be determined through the multi-year programme allocations process. The FCDO will continue to publish non-ODA programme spending plans in the normal way through the Annual Report and Accounts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 62275 on Defence: Finance, whether the his Department's contribution will be included in the defence budget after 2027.

A proportion of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) non-Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme spend will contribute to the UK NATO target across the Spending Review period. This spend will be part of the FCDO budget, not the Defence budget. The final total quantum will be determined through the multi-year programme allocations process. The FCDO will continue to publish non-ODA programme spending plans in the normal way through the Annual Report and Accounts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 59107 on Defence: Finance, whether the elements of FCDO’s programming budget will be formally included in the defence budget for 2027.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)'s non-Official Development Assistance budget primarily funds operating costs, including the UK's diplomatic capability, 24/7 consular services and rapid crisis response to support British nationals worldwide. The settlement also supports the FCDO's priorities across security, growth, migration and the UK's relationship with Europe, alongside constitutional obligations to the Overseas Territories. A portion of this funding will contribute to the UK's NATO-attributed defence spending, including FCDO-led programming in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and the Intelligence Community to counter cyber-attacks, election interference, disinformation and other threats to stability. The amount of the FCDO contribution is being worked though. It will not be included in the Defence budget for 2027.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 59107 on Defence: Finance, if he will specify the total financial quantum of the elements of the FCDO’s programming budget referred to.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)'s non-Official Development Assistance budget primarily funds operating costs, including the UK's diplomatic capability, 24/7 consular services and rapid crisis response to support British nationals worldwide. The settlement also supports the FCDO's priorities across security, growth, migration and the UK's relationship with Europe, alongside constitutional obligations to the Overseas Territories. A portion of this funding will contribute to the UK's NATO-attributed defence spending, including FCDO-led programming in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and the Intelligence Community to counter cyber-attacks, election interference, disinformation and other threats to stability. The amount of the FCDO contribution is being worked though. It will not be included in the Defence budget for 2027.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the design of the Chagos Islands flag will change following the ratification of the Chagos treaty.

A British flag will continue to be flown at the UK-US Base on Diego Garcia as it has always done.The British Indian Ocean Territory will cease to exist as a British Overseas Territory upon ratification of the treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius.No decision has yet been taken on any future use or adaptation of the current BIOT flag.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to hold discussions with the (a) Fairtrade Foundation and (b) other stakeholders on the fair treatment of workers around the world.

The UK Government is committed to working closely with international labour organisations, including the Fairtrade Foundation, to advance free and fair trade around the world that is inclusive, sustainable and reduces poverty.Lord Collins' priority of championing equal rights for all extends to workers globally and is reflected in our work with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to promote more and better jobs for workers globally, including raising workers' rights issues, and promoting equal pay for equal work for women. The Government acts globally to prevent forced labour in supply chains, including, for example, by supporting reform of labour migration policies in South East Asia to ensure fair treatment of migrant workers.Many female dominated sectors include precarious, informal and isolated work. The UK is pressing for better representation and leadership within union movements, including for paid care workers. The UK's new Trade Centre of Expertise will build the capacity of producers, businesses and governments in developing countries to participate in and prosper from global trade.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January to Question 25988 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, how much has been spent on the Chagos Islands negotiations by his Department.

The costs to which I referred in the Answer to Question 25988 have not been centrally aggregated between Departments or within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The negotiations began in 2022, and to identify the costs would incur disproportionate expense.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2025 to Question 25988 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, how much and what proportion of spend to date on the Chagos Islands negotiations will be borne by the (a) his Department and (b) the Ministry of Defence.

Costs, including those of staffing, legal counsel, travel and accommodation and other expenses arising from the negotiations have been incorporated into the budgets of those Departments involved in the negotiations. There has been no central aggregation of those costs.To go back over costs and expenses for the last three years in different parts of FCDO, different finance systems, and data that would have to be manually checked would exceed reasonable costs.

Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of the statement made by the Prime Minister of Mauritius to the Mauritian Parliament on 17 December 2024.

Prime Minister Ramgoolam of Mauritius reiterated his willingness to conclude a deal with the UK in his statement of 17 December. We are confident that the agreement is in both sides' shared interests, and we will continue working with the new Mauritian government to finalise the deal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 16475 on China: Mauritius, whether he plans to monitor the (a) implementation and (b) potential implications for his policies of paragraph 3.4.4.2 of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan 2025-27; and what information his Department holds on the commitment of the government of Mauritius to these aims for Diego Garcia.

As with previous FOCAC commitments we will monitor their implementation and implications for UK policy. The UK will take a consistent and pragmatic approach to China's role in Africa - we will cooperate where we can, compete where we have different interests, and challenge where we must.The UK continues to support the principle and practice of Nuclear Weapon Free Zones as a way to build confidence between regional states, and as a successful tool of non-proliferation. This includes the Pelindaba Treaty, of which we have signed and ratified the first and second Protocols, giving legally binding Negative Security Assurances to all signatory states in the region.It is for Mauritius to comment on its own national approach.The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) agreement between the UK and Mauritius protects the long-term secure operation of the UK-US base that plays a vital role in regional and international security.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to oral answer of 13 November 2024 by the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, on Chagos Islands, Official Report, Column 793, what the evidential basis is for the statement that providing the costs of the Chagos settlement would put the future secure operation of the Diego Garcia base at risk.

The Government fully respects the calls for transparency. However, confirming these costs could affect the UK's ability - and that of our closest allies - to negotiate basing agreements in the future therefore putting secure operations at risk. We are not willing to jeopardise the UK's national security.Further details of the Treaty will be put before both Houses for scrutiny and treaty ratification in the usual way.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when Ministers from his Department have met representatives of the Chagossian community since 4 July 2024; and which Minister met how many Chagossians on each such occasion.

I have met with members of the Chagossian community twice since 4 July 2024. There are a large number of Chagossian groups in the UK and internationally with a spectrum of views. We will continue efforts to engage the community.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral Answer by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 2 December 2024, Official Report, Column 27, if he will make an estimate of the cost to his Department of implementing the proposed UK-Mauritius treaty on the Chagos Islands excluding the Government-to-Government payment.

This Agreement will be underpinned by a financial package which will support a new era of economic partnership between the UK and Mauritius and demonstrate the commitment of both parties to support the welfare of Chagossian communities. Financial obligations arising from this agreement, including departmental budgetary responsibilities, will be managed responsibly within the Government's fiscal framework.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when Ministers from his Department have met representatives of the Maldives Government to discuss the future of the Chagos Islands since 4 July 2024; and which Minister met which representative of the Maldives on each such occasion.

The Foreign Secretary met Maldives Foreign Minister Khaleel at the Commonwealth Heads of Government on 25 October. They discussed a range of issues, including matters relating to the British Indian Ocean Territory. Minister West also spoke with Foreign Minister Khaleel virtually on 14 October and met with the Maldivian High Commissioner on 30 September.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help protect the rights of children in areas of conflict.

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 crisis. We also regularly raise the impact of armed conflict on children with other governments. The UK is an active member of the UN Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), ensuring effective scrutiny of conflicts where children are harmed and holding perpetrators to account.