Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mark Francois this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 301–320 of 597 · this parliament
Whether he had discussions with Cabinet colleagues prior to the decision not to contest a compensation payment to the band Kneecap following their exclusion from the Music Export Growth Scheme.
There were no discussions with Cabinet colleagues prior to the decision by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade not to contest the claim brought by Kneecap for review of the decision not to award them a grant under the Music Export Growth Scheme.
Whether his Department plans to replace the Multi-role Electronically Scanned-Array radar on the E-7A Wedgetail fleet with a US-developed replacement.
There are no plans to replace the existing Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array radar currently fitted on the UK E-7 Wedgetail Fleet.
When he plans to respond to Question 41390 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty tabled by the hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford on 26 March 2025.
I responded to the right hon. Member on 23 April 2025.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Chagossian diaspora in (a) the Seychelles, (b) Mauritius and (c) other areas are actively (i) consulted and (ii) included in decisions regarding the potential resettlement programme on the Chagos Archipelago.
The negotiations were between the UK and Mauritius with our priority being to secure the continued security of and full operation of the base on Diego Garcia. However, we have worked hard to ensure this agreement reflects the importance of the islands to Chagossians. The UK will finance a new trust fund for Mauritius to use in support of the Chagossian community and Mauritius will be able to develop a programme of resettlement on the islands other than Diego Garcia. We will continue to engage Chagossians in the UK and around the world on the implementation of the agreement at both an official and Ministerial level.
Whether the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security had discussions with his international counterpart on (a) the detention of Jimmy Lai and (b) human rights abuses during his recent visit to China.
During my recent visit to China and Hong Kong, I raised the UK’s concerns over human rights abuses, including in Xinjiang and the detention of Jimmy Lai with counterparts at the Ministry of Commerce and the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has received formal representations from the Government of Mauritius on additional financial compensation under the proposed Chagos Islands agreement.
The overall quantum of the cost of the deal has not changed from what was originally negotiated under the previous Mauritian Prime Minister.
Whether the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security held discussions on (a) UK-China trade relations, (b) economic security and (c) any (i) existing and (ii) proposed commercial agreements during his recent visit to China; and whether he plans to publish a summary of the Minister's discussions.
During my visit to China, I held frank and honest discussions with my counterparts on the opportunities and challenges in the bilateral trade relationship, including improving overall reciprocity in market access, raising UK concerns on level playing field issues and market distorting practices and discussing economic security issues. I am unable to comment on commercial discussions during the visit, for reasons of commercial sensitivity.
With reference to his Department's guidance entitled Request for input on potential UK measures in response to US tariff, whether (a) lethal and (b) non-lethal police firearms are classified as military weapons under CN8 code 93039000 for the purposes of that consultation.
We encourage responses to the request for input from all organisations that think their imports could be affected by any potential UK tariffs on a particular commodity code.Lethal and non-lethal firearms under CN 93039000 are not classified as military weapons. Heading 9303 does not mention military weapons, military weapons are instead classified in the earlier headings, such as 9301 (9301 Military weapons, other than revolvers, pistols and the arms of heading 9307 (this heading covers semi-automatic firearms and rifles).Organisations that have additional specific classification enquiries can be directed to the mailbox: classification.enquiries@hmrc.gov.uk
Whether the Chief of Defence Staff discussed the Chagos Islands base during his recent visit to China.
The Chief of the Defence Staff met with Gen Liu Zhenli Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission of the People’s Liberation Army. They discussed a range of security issues and agreed that in an unstable world we must play our part as responsible nations with global interests.
Whether his Department (a) authorised and (b) requested the Chief of Defence staff's recent meeting with representatives of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
The Chief of the Defence Staff’s meeting was arranged between the UK’s Ministry of Defence and China’s Office for International Military Cooperation of the Central Military Commission. It was authorised by His Majesty’s Government.
When his Department plans to retire the Royal Air Force’s MQ-9A Reaper drones; and whether he plans to donate any of those drones to Ukraine.
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 March 2025 to Question 38649.There are no plans to donate any MQ-9A Reaper Remotely Piloted Air Systems to Ukraine.
Whether any revised financial commitments related to the Chagos negotiations will be included in the Comprehensive Spending Review.
The FCDO and the MOD are the lead departments for this agreement. Any financial obligations, including departmental budgetary responsibilities, will be managed responsibly within the government’s fiscal framework through the upcoming Spending Review.
Whether there have been any amendments to the (a) duration, (b) remuneration and (c) other contractual terms of the six additional senior-level experts added to the Strategic Defence Review team since the commencement of their appointments.
The six leading figures supporting the external reviewers continue to support the delivery of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR). The SDR-which will be published in the Spring-will ensure the United Kingdom is both secure at home and strong abroad, now and for the years to come.
Pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 36052 on Strategic Defence Review: Contracts, whether there have been any amendments to the (a) duration, (b) remuneration and (c) other contractual terms of (i) Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, (ii) General Sir Richard Barrons and (iii) Fiona Hill since the commencement of their appointments as external reviewers.
The external review team continue to support the delivery of this crucial piece of work. The Strategic Defence Review-which will be published in the Spring-will ensure the United Kingdom is both secure at home and strong abroad, now and for the years to come.
Whether the Strategic Defence Review will be published before the Comprehensive Spending Review on the 11th June.
As the Prime Minister explained in his Defence and Security statement to the House of Commons, the Strategic Defence Review is in an advanced state. The Review will be published in the Spring, and will set strategic direction for Defence for the next decade.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Treaty of Pelindaba, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the transfer of sovereignty over Diego Garcia to Mauritius on the (a) storage, (b) deployment and (c) transit of (i) nuclear weapons and (ii) nuclear-powered vessels at the UK-US base.
I refer the Hon Member to the response given to his earlier PQ 18902, which remains the same.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Treaty of Pelindaba, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the transfer of sovereignty over Diego Garcia to Mauritius on restrictions on nuclear weapons at the UK-US base.
As with his previous PQ 44207, I refer the Hon Member to the response given to his PQ 18902, which remains the same.
When he plans to respond to Question 36052 on Strategic Defence Review: Contracts, tabled on 6 March 2025 by the Rt hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford.
I responded to the right hon. Member on 3 April 2025.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that activities on the outer Chagos islands do not impact the operation of Diego Garcia.
I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I gave to the Urgent Question on the British Indian Ocean Territory on 2 April 2025.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how he plans to (a) monitor and (b) enforce the prohibition on the presence of foreign security forces on the outer Chagos islands.
I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I gave to the Urgent Question on the British Indian Ocean Territory on 2 April 2025.