Written questions by Sewards.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of an April 2026 US State Department report indicating the Palestinian Authority continues to pay salaries to convicted terrorist.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans she has to (a) review and (b) revoke the privileges and immunities currently afforded to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London under the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996.

This Government is taking a consistent, long term, and strategic approach to managing the UK's relations with China, rooted in UK interests. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996 exists to promote trade with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and that legitimate activity is permitted to continue. However, anyone in any organisation found to be assisting a foreign state to undermine our security will be brought to justice.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to repeal the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996.

This Government is taking a consistent, long term, and strategic approach to managing the UK's relations with China, rooted in UK interests. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996 exists to promote trade with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and that legitimate activity is permitted to continue. However, anyone in any organisation found to be assisting a foreign state to undermine our security will be brought to justice.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of reports that Iranian regime-linked actors are soliciting cryptocurrency donations from individuals in the United Kingdom to circumvent sanctions; and what steps she is taking to help ensure such funds are not used to support terrorism or Iran-backed proxy groups.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 5 February in response to Question 109571.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to the Palestinian Authority on payments to convicted terrorists.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 13 November 2025 in response to Question HL11575, which for ease is reproduced below:In President Abbas' letter to President Macron, dated 9 June 2025, he set out his commitment to the principles of non-violence, the organisation of elections, the development of a school curriculum that is free from incitement, and the implementation of a new social security system, which will revoke so-called prisoner payments, and ensure that any future welfare payments are needs-based and delinked from violent actions. The Palestinian Authority must now ensure that an independent audit is conducted to verify that these reforms have been completed.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has formalised conditions aimed at encouraging reform as part of the UK's memorandum of understanding with the Palestinian Authority.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 13 November 2025 in response to Question HL11575, which for ease is reproduced below:In President Abbas' letter to President Macron, dated 9 June 2025, he set out his commitment to the principles of non-violence, the organisation of elections, the development of a school curriculum that is free from incitement, and the implementation of a new social security system, which will revoke so-called prisoner payments, and ensure that any future welfare payments are needs-based and delinked from violent actions. The Palestinian Authority must now ensure that an independent audit is conducted to verify that these reforms have been completed.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with representatives of the Falkland Islands on the potential impact of trade tariffs on its economy.

We are proud of the bond that the United Kingdom shares with the Falkland Islands as part of one Great British family, and we deeply value the relationship between our governments.I was pleased to speak with the new Assembly within a week of their election, and my officials have been engaging with the new representatives on their priorities, one of which is obviously trade.It is a matter of fact that the Brexit deal reached by the party opposite excluded the Overseas Territories, and we recognise the challenges EU trade tariffs pose for the Falkland Islands economy. But we are working with the Department for Business and Trade to promote Falklands trade in the UK and other markets.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has raised the detention of Bita Shafiei on 13 November 2025 with her Iranian counterparts.

We are aware of Bita Shafiei's case and continue to raise the rights of women and girls and human rights defenders with the Iranian Government in multilateral fora. The UK co-sponsored an Iran Human Rights Resolution, adopted by the UN Third Committee on 19 November, which condemned the targeted repression of women and girls and called on Iran to release women human rights defenders imprisoned for exercising their rights. We delivered a statement at the Committee, which highlighted Iran's bolstering of surveillance capabilities to monitor and target women and girls, and we will continue to work with international partners to hold Iran to account.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the safety of British nationals located on the India-Pakistan border.

The safety of British nationals will always be our priority. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) continues to monitor developments closely and is ready to support British nationals 24/7. Any British nationals in the region should follow the FCDO's travel advice for the country they are in, along with the advice of the local authorities. That travel advice is currently against travel to areas close to the Line of Control and international border.