Written questions by Glen.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of disputes involving religious communities in the Bukovina region of Ukraine; and what steps he is taking to support freedom of religion or belief in the area.

We are deeply disturbed by the impact of Russia's illegal war on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Ukraine. Ukraine's democracy is well known for its commitment to religious pluralism. The UK regularly engages with Ukrainian religious groups and the Government of Ukraine on this issue, including on Law 8371 which mandates that religious organisations must cut ties with the Russian Orthodox Church - Moscow Patriarchate. The Ukrainian Government and religious leaders have offered reassurances that the law responds to clear national security threats. In February, a delegation of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches met Parliamentarians and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials to discuss religious persecution in the temporarily occupied territories, and Law 8371.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of (a) abductions, (b) forced marriages and (c) religious conversions of (i) Christian and (ii) other minority girls in Pakistan.

Promoting the rights of religious minorities is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement in Pakistan. I am deeply concerned by reports of abductions, forced marriages and religious conversions of Christian and other minority girls. I raised the importance of protecting minority rights with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights during my visit in November 2024 and Lord Khan raised this in meetings with senior Government of Pakistan interlocutors during his visit in April 2025. Our High Commission in Islamabad continues to raise these issues at the highest levels and engages regularly with civil society to monitor the situation. We urge the Government of Pakistan to uphold its international human rights obligations and ensure that all citizens, regardless of faith, are protected from coercion and violence.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the protection of religious freedom for Christian communities in Nepal, in the context of (a) recent political movements advocating for the restoration of a Hindu kingdom and (b) trends in the number of attacks on Christians.

The UK condemns all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief, recognising that freedom of religion is a cornerstone of human rights and democratic societies. Our Embassy in Kathmandu engages a range of different faith leaders and civil society on human rights. Through this and other engagement, the UK will continue to signal respect for religious diversity and support for everyone's right to freely practise their faith, traditions, and beliefs without fear or prejudice.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the adequacy of levels of freedom of religion or belief in Cameroon; and what steps he is taking to support this right in that country.

The Cameroon Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and worship. The UK Government continues to monitor civil and political rights in Cameroon and is committed to uphold the right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB). This includes advocating for the protections of all vulnerable communities through our position at the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora as well as bilaterally with the Government of Cameroon and other influential parties.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the new Special Representative for Climate is a direct ministerial appointment; what the terms of reference were for this appointment; and whether she has made any declaration of interest.

The Special Representative for Climate is a Direct Ministerial Appointment.The Special Representative's Terms of Reference are available on gov.uk.The Special Representative has made a declaration of interest.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2024 to Question 2067 on Government Hospitality: Wines, what the (a) full name, (b) vintage and (c) cost was of each (i) wine and (ii) spirit that has been used for hospitality in Downing Street since the general election.

The Government Wine Cellar has not been used for hospitality at Downing Street since the general election.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) direct ministerial and (b) other public appointments to his Department and associated bodies have (i) been (A) removed from their posts and (B) asked to resign and (ii) made since 4 July 2024.

Part (i)The FCDO does not routinely record and collect the reasons why appointees leave their positions, so is not in a position to answer this part of the question. Additionally, the reasons why an appointee has left their role is the appointee's personal information and identifiable and would elicit GDPR considerations.Part (ii)The FCDO routinely announces public appointments and direct ministerial appointments on gov.uk. Since 4 July 2024, the following appointments have been made and announced:1. Jonathan Powell has been appointed by the Foreign Secretary as the Special Envoy for BIOT negotiations. [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jonathan-powell-appointed-as-special-envoy-for-biot-negotiations]2. Rachel Kyte has been appointed the UK's Special Representative for Climate. This appointment was made jointly by the Foreign Secretary and the Energy Secretary. [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rachel-kyte-appointed-as-the-uks-special-representative-for-climate]3. Professor Ngaire Woods has been appointed by the Foreign Secretary to lead a review of the UK's global impact. [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-launches-expert-reviews-to-strengthen-uks-global-impact-and-expertise]4. Baroness Minouche Shafik has been appointed by the Foreign Secretary to lead a review on how to maximise the benefits of the FCDO joint integrated development diplomacy model in our development work. [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-launches-expert-reviews-to-strengthen-uks-global-impact-and-expertise]5. Sir Martin Donnelly has been appointed by the Foreign Secretary to lead a review on our economic capability in diplomacy. [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-launches-expert-reviews-to-strengthen-uks-global-impact-and-expertise]

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the recommendations of the Summary Report of the APPG on Afrikan reparations, published in October 2023.

Museums and galleries in England operate independently of the government. Decisions relating to the care and management of their collections are a matter for the trustees of each museum. The Arts Council published guidance in 2022 on the handling of restitution claims. The guidance sets out that, each claim should be considered on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration the individual circumstances, provenance, and historic and current contexts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 31 July 2024, to Question 1242, on USA: Diplomatic Service, what the process for the appointment of His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States of America will be; and whether this process will involve open competition.

Heads of Mission roles are usually advertised across Government and open to serving Civil Servants. The process for the appointment of His Majesty's Ambassador to the United States of America will be determined in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many people, other than special advisers, have been appointed to civil service posts in his Department without open competition since 4 July 2024; what their (a) job titles and (b) salary bands are; and on what basis each was appointed.

At the delegated grades, the table below shows we have appointed the following since 4 July 2024 to civil service posts in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office without open competition in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles [https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/02a_RECRUITMENT-PRINCIPLES-April-2018-FINAL-.pdf]. The exceptions we have used are:Exception 1: Temporary AppointmentsException 3: SecondmentsException 5: Former Civil ServantsException 7: Transfers of staff from other public bodiesExceptionBandSalary BandJob title1AO£26,500UKRI - Summer Intern 20241AO£26,500Finance Payments Officer1AO£26,500Credit Card Administrator1AO£26,500Finance Payments Officer1AO£26,500Consular Officer1AO£26,500Consular Officer1AO£26,500Consular Officer1AO£26,500Consular Officer1AO£26,500Consular Officer1AO£26,500Consular Officer1AO£26,500Pensions Administrator1EO£28000 - £30,500Leonard Cheshire - Summer Intern 20241EO£28000 - £30,500Leonard Cheshire - Summer Intern 20241EO£28000 - £30,500Desk Officer Team 4, Diplomatic Missions Team1AO£26,500Pensions Administrator7HEO£34,500 - £40,000Auditor3Grade 7£53,000 - £62,000Senior research Fellow3Grade 7£53,000 - £62,000Research Fellow3G7£53,000 - £62,000Senior Research Fellow3G7£53,000 - £62,000Senior Research Fellow3G7£53,000 - £62,000Senior Humanitarian Policy Advisor3G7£53,000 - £62,000Senior Research Fellow3G7£53,000 - £62,000Senior Research Fellow3G7£53,000 - £62,000Senior Research Fellow3G7£53,000 - £62,000Senior Research Fellow3G7£53,000 - £62,000Senior Research Fellow3G7£53,000 - £62,000Senior Research Fellow3HEO£34,500 - £40,000Security/Intelligence Analyst5G7£53,000 - £62,000Team Leader Indo Pacific Maritime Security, Engagement and CommunicationsThere have been no external appointments to SCS level civil service posts without open competition since 4 July 2024.There has been no ministerial involvement in appointments to civil service posts in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office since 4 July 2024.