Every parliamentary written question tabled by Kevin Hollinrake this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 41–60 of 70 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 85832 on USA: Diplomatic Service, what work was undertaken when Lord Mandelson was Ambassador.
Minor works were undertaken to the Embassy and Residence during Lord Mandelson's tenure as Ambassador.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2025, to Question 86049, on Official Residences: Repairs and Maintenance, whether his department holds records on the costs of (a) works, (b) fittings and (c) fixtures to the Ministerial residence in 1 Carlton Gardens since 4 July 2024.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) does not hold the specific information requested. The FCDO has a Facilities Management contract - awarded in 2018 - that provides services to its entire UK Estate, including the offices, meeting rooms, function rooms, residence and wider grounds at 1 Carlton Gardens. It is not possible to separate the costs of maintenance works on the residence from the rest of the property and in a number of cases from our other properties.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question HL10734 on USA: Diplomatic Service, whether the ongoing work involved expenditure whilst Lord Mandelson was Ambassador.
Refurbishment work at our Embassy in Washington DC began in June 2019. The majority of work was completed in 2023, with limited aspects ongoing.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 22 January 2025, to Question 23786, on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, if he will publish the (a) minutes and (b) meeting notes for the meetings attended by FCDO officials 4 July 2024.
It is for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to decide what documentation to publish as part of that process.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what guidance her Department has issued on recognising premises as a diplomatic mission of a foreign government.
The process of applying for Diplomatic and Consular Status for Official Mission Premises is set out in Section 1(1) of the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1987/46). Diplomatic missions are required to obtain the consent of the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs for land to be regarded as diplomatic or consular premises.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 September 2025 to Question 74189 on Chinese Embassy, if he will publish (a) that reply and (b) any subsequent correspondence.
It is for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to decide what documentation to publish as part of that process.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 22 September 2025, to Question 76278, Lord Mandelson, what (a) vetting and (b) due diligence was carried out prior to the public announcement of the appointment of Lord Mandelson, and by whom.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 October to to Question 76245.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 73317 on Diplomatic Service: Pay, whether Lord Mandelson is still being paid as a civil servant following his withdrawal as Head of Mission.
Lord Mandelson's withdrawal is undergoing normal HR processes.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 73318 on Diplomatic Service: Political Impartiality, whether any members of his Department or the Diplomatic Service have been given permissioned to attend the Labour Party Conference 2025.
No such permissions have been issued within the reporting period.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 8 March 2025 to Question 70574 on Diplomatic Service: Political Impartiality, whether the political restrictions on ambassadors extend to a prohibition on (a) speaking in public in favour of a political party and (b) fundraising for a political party.
I refer the Hon. Member to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to question 70574.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans she has for the recruitment process for the next permanent US Ambassador.
The process for the appointment of our Ambassador to the United States of America will be determined in due course.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Benjamin Wegg-Prosser visited the US Embassy in Washington during the tenure of Lord Mandelson.
It is a long-standing practice of successive governments not to comment on private meetings.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 57228 on Diplomatic Service: Public Appointments, whether the British Ambassador to the United States' Developed Vetting was undertaken by (a) the Cabinet Office, (b) United Kingdom Security Vetting, (c) his Department and (d) an independent body.
All national security vetting is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV).
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department responded to the correspondence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government of 6 August 2025 on the proposed Chinese Embassy.
On 20 August, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Home Office submitted written representations to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in response to its correspondence of 6 August.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what due diligence was undertaken for the appointment of the UK ambassador to the US.
Normal pre-employment processes, including vetting, are routinely carried out prior to all senior civil service appointments.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Downing Street press release entitled PM call with President Xi Jinping of China: 23 August 2024, what discussions the Prime Minister had with President Xi Jinping during the telephone call on the proposed Chinese Embassy in London.
During his phone call with President Xi on 23 August 2024, the Prime Minister set out his priorities for his government, including national security, secure borders and economic stability.The leaders discussed areas of shared collaboration, and potential areas of cooperation between the UK and China, including on trade, the economy and education.As permanent members of the UN Security Council, the leaders agreed on the importance of close working in areas such as climate change and global security.A readout of this discussion can be found on gov.uk.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has issued guidance to ambassadors on their participation in (a) fundraising and (b) other party political activity.
All members of the Senior Civil Service are subject to the Civil Service Management Code.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question HL8020 on Embassies: Planning Permission, whether his Department holds such information.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not record such information.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament will be given a full copy of the China Audit; whether it will be shared with HM Opposition on Privy Council terms; and if he will publish a security redacted version.
It is right that Parliament should have the opportunity to scrutinise the work of the Government, as its responsibility. There are mechanisms in place for certain parliamentarians to have access to classified Government material, such as parts of the Audit. It is not unusual that our China strategy - or that of any other country - remains internal. This is consistent with our Five Eyes partners.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will submit a copy of the China Audit to the designated Planning Minister who is now considering the called-in planning application for the Chinese Embassy at the Royal Mint, London.
The Foreign Secretary will not be submitting a copy of the China Audit to the designated Planning Minister. However, on 14 January, the Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary submitted written representations to the Planning Inspector to ensure national security concerns are fully considered. These representations are publicly available on the Tower Hamlets website and form part of the evidence that will be reviewed by the Planning Minister.