Every parliamentary written question tabled by Lee Anderson this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 52 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help strengthen international relations with Cyprus.
As I said on my last visit to Nicosia on 19 March, the UK and the Republic of Cyprus have a strong friendship based on a long history, and we are committed to strengthening that partnership further in the years to come. My discussions with Foreign Ministe...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to promote trade with Cyprus.
As I said on my last visit to Nicosia on 19 March, the UK and the Republic of Cyprus have a strong friendship based on a long history, and we are committed to strengthening that partnership further in the years to come. My discussions with Foreign Ministe...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the United Kingdom plans to raise anti Christian (a) persecution and (b) violence at the United Nations.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 28 April in response to Question 129787.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support persecuted Christians in Afghanistan.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 28 April in response to Question 129787.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government it taking to strengthen international relations with Japan.
The UK-Japan bilateral relationship is at its strongest in decades, underpinned by our enhanced Global Strategic Partnership. As the Prime Minister set out in his statement to the House on 2 February, our priorities for deepening our partnership further include working together for peace and security and boosting growth and resilience through cooperation in tech and innovation, energy, and trade. I also refer him to the details of my own visit to Japan in December, including the speech I made to the Tokyo Economic Security Forum on 15 December.www.gov.uk/government/news/indo-pacific-minister-seema-malhotra-visits-japanwww.gov.uk/government/speeches/tokyo-economic-security-forum-keynote-address
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) cultural and (b) arts related projects have received UK foreign aid funding in the last year.
The Hon Member can find details of all projects funded through Official Development Assistance on the Development Tracker website.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate she has made of the cost of the public purse of the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill.
I refer the Hon Member to the details of the forecast cost at the time, and duration of the treaty set out in the Explanatory Memorandum published on 22 May 2025, and to the extensive discussion of all these issues and methodologies that has subsequently taken place during the passage of the Bill.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what security assessments her Department undertook ahead of the approval of the planned Chinese Embassy by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Security Minister on 20 January.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she engaged with (a) the Security Service and (b) other security agencies prior to the approval of the planned Chinese Embassy by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Security Minister on 20 January.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with members of the Chagossian community in Britain.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials have met Chagossian individuals and groups over 30 times since 2024. I have met with Chagossian groups and individuals four times. The new Chagossian Contact Group has held meetings in September and December 2025, and again in January. The group will continue to meet quarterly.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she considered the the future of Diego Garcia after the 99-year lease agreed in the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill expires.
I refer the Hon Member to the details of the duration of the treaty set out in the Explanatory Memorandum published on 22 May 2025, and to the extensive discussion of all these issues that has subsequently taken place during the passage of the Bill.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to review the suitability of Turkey as a recipient of foreign aid.
Decisions on allocations of Official Development Assistance for the next three years are currently under consideration, and will be announced in the usual way.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department plans to raise at the United Nations the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
I refer the Hon Member to the written ministerial statement published on 27 November 2025 (HCWS1105).
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much their Department has spent on (a) advertising and (b) marketing in each of the last three years.
The requested information is not centrally collated by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. All spending is subject to standard value for money assessments.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether their Department has run any (a) recruitment and (b) internship schemes aimed to increase the number of people from underrepresented groups in the workforce in the last year.
As set out in the Civil Service People Plan 2024 - 2027, published under the previous government, we are committed to ensuring we attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds to create a modern Civil Service, now and for the future.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what criteria her Department uses to decide which projects to fund through UK foreign aid.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) uses the Programme Operating Framework (PrOF), which is publicly available at this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fcdo-programme-operating-framework
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to support Craig and Lindsay Foreman in Iran.
We are deeply concerned by Craig and Lindsay's detention in Iran. We are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members. We continue to raise the case directly with the Iranian authorities.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) diplomatic and (b) consular support his Department has given to Craig and Lindsay Foreman in the last three months.
We are deeply concerned by Craig and Lindsay's detention in Iran. We are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members. We continue to raise the case directly with the Iranian authorities.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what purposes their Department has used artificial intelligence in the last year.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is improving the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) efficiency, security and analysis. Over the last year, that has included using AI for language translation, document classification and data analysis, in support of the work of our policy and consular teams.Through FCDO.ai, the Department is coordinating responsible adoption of this technology, including participation in the piloting of the cross government Microsoft Copilot tool. All activity is governed by our AI Acceptable Use Policy and established assurance processes. The Department will continue to develop capabilities aligned with UK principles on AI safety and work with partners across government and internationally to share best practice.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure British (a) embassies and (b) consulates are adequately resourced to support British citizens when abroad.
Ensuring that we have the right people in the right places to support those who require consular services is a top priority for the UK Government. We regularly review how we resource consular services to ensure we are providing the right support to British people overseas. Our Consular staff are contactable 24/7, 365 days a year, providing help to more than 25,000 British people a year around the globe, and issuing more than 30,000 emergency travel documents.