Written questions by Wrigley.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the drone attack on the vessel Conscience in international waters.

His Majesty's Government officials were in touch with the Maltese Authorities regarding the incident and understand there were no casualties and that no British nationals were aboard this vessel. We continue to discuss with Israeli counterparts the urgent need for the Israeli government to permit the full and unhindered resumption of the flow of aid into Gaza. Israel has clear obligations under international humanitarian law to agree to and facilitate humanitarian aid. The unimpeded entry of assistance at scale to meet the enormous needs in Gaza must be restored immediately. As we've said, the most effective way to meet the desperate needs of the Gazan people at the speed and scale that is needed is via overland routes.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 58701 on USA: British Nationals Abroad, if he will make representations to his US counterpart on the potential merits of protecting the green card data of British citizens in line with GDPR standards, in the context of the work of the US Department of Government Efficiency.

The Foreign Secretary regularly discusses a range of bilateral issues with his US counterpart, and officials are regularly in touch with US authorities on consular and immigration issues which may affect British Nationals living in the US. Data collected by the US Government as part of their own processes is subject to US law, which is a sovereign matter for the US.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on the seizure of the UK-flagged civilian ship Madleen by Israeli forces in international waters.

We are aware of the interception of the Madleen and the arrest of its passengers by Israeli Naval Forces. We note that this happened without serious incident or injury to any passenger. We pressed the Israeli authorities in advance of the ship's arrival to ensure that any action they took would resolve the situation safely, with restraint, and in line with International Law. The UK continues to demand that the Israeli government permits the full and unhindered resumption in the flow of aid into Gaza immediately. By far the most effective way to meet the desperate needs of the Gazan people at the speed and scale that is needed is via overland routes. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is appalling. We reiterate that Israel must immediately allow the UN and other agencies to deliver lifesaving aid to those in Gaza who so desperately need it.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will launch an investigation into reported drone attacks on the vessel Conscience in international waters off Malta.

We are aware of an incident in May regarding a vessel off the coast of Malta. His Majesty's Government officials were in touch with the Maltese Authorities regarding the incident and understand there were no casualties and that no British nationals were aboard this vessel. We are not planning an investigation into the incident but continue to be in contact with Maltese Authorities if any new information regarding the incident becomes available.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will have discussions with his (a) Israeli and (b) Maltese counterpart on the reported drone attack on the vessel Conscience in international waters.

His Majesty's Government officials were in touch with the Maltese Authorities regarding the incident and understand there were no casualties and that no British nationals were aboard this vessel. We continue to discuss with Israeli counterparts the urgent need for the Israeli Government to permit the full and unhindered resumption of the flow of aid into Gaza. Israel has clear obligations under international humanitarian law to agree to and facilitate humanitarian aid. The unimpeded entry of assistance at scale to meet the enormous needs in Gaza must be restored immediately. As we've said, the most effective way to meet the desperate needs of the Gazan people at the speed and scale that is needed is via overland routes.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the his US counterpart on UK citizens with a green card data.

The Foreign Secretary has not had any recent discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio about green card data, or UK citizens with green cards.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of UK-US sub-rental of Diego Garcia atoll will be offset in the next financial year by the same year's equivalent payment of the UK's exit deal of the Chagos islands.

As agreed in the US-UK Exchange of Notes which governs the US use of Diego Garcia, there is no direct payment between the US and the UK for use of the base. The US pays for the operating and maintenance costs of the Naval Support Facility on Diego Garcia, which are significant. The US supports the Treaty, with US Secretary of State Rubio publicly noting that the Treaty "secures the long-term, stable, and effective operation of the joint US-UK military facility at Diego Garcia".

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much the US paid for the sub rental of Diego Garcia in the last financial year.

As agreed in the US-UK Exchange of Notes which governs the US use of Diego Garcia, there is no direct payment between the US and the UK for use of the base. The US pays for the operating and maintenance costs of the Naval Support Facility on Diego Garcia, which are significant. The US supports the Treaty, with US Secretary of State Rubio publicly noting that the Treaty "secures the long-term, stable, and effective operation of the joint US-UK military facility at Diego Garcia".

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he bring forward legislative proposals to regulate maps used in the UK to ensure that the Gulf of Mexico is not referred to by other names.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will continue to follow the guidance of the Permanent Committee on Geographical Names (PCGN) who advise His Majesty's Government on policies and procedures for the representation of geographical names for places and features outside the UK, excluding those of the Antarctic. For names of international maritime features beyond any sovereignty, PCGN usually advises reflecting the common English conventional name, which for this body of water is the 'Gulf of Mexico'.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will ensure that imports of (a) lithium, (b) nickel, (c) cobalt, (d) manganese and (e) graphite do not come from mining operations that commit human rights violations.

The UK is committed to promoting responsible business practice to reduce and prevent human rights violations. We work through a number of international mechanisms to deliver on this, including supporting the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains which enables business to continue to operate responsibly from conflict-affected and high-risk areas. The UK's new Critical Minerals Strategy will help secure the supply of critical minerals vital for the UK's economic growth and clean energy transition, promoting responsible and transparent supply chains.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the (a) amount and (b) proportion of (i) lithium, (ii) nickel, (iii) cobalt, (iv) manganese and (v) graphite entering the UK from international mining operations that are potentially involved in human rights violations.

The UK is committed to promoting responsible business practice to reduce and prevent human rights violations. We work through a number of international mechanisms to deliver on this, including supporting the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains which enables business to continue to operate responsibly from conflict-affected and high-risk areas. The UK's new Critical Minerals Strategy will help secure the supply of critical minerals vital for the UK's economic growth and clean energy transition, promoting responsible and transparent supply chains.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of (a) lithium, (b) nickel, (c) cobalt, (d) manganese and (e) graphite imports come from mining operations that commit human rights violations.

The UK is committed to promoting responsible business practice to reduce and prevent human rights violations. We work through a number of international mechanisms to deliver on this, including supporting the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains which enables business to continue to operate responsibly from conflict-affected and high-risk areas. The UK's new Critical Minerals Strategy will help secure the supply of critical minerals vital for the UK's economic growth and clean energy transition, promoting responsible and transparent supply chains.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2025 to Question 26627 on Gulf of Mexico: Politics and Government, what terminology his Department plans to use in international documents when referring to the Gulf of Mexico.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will continue to follow the guidance of the Permanent Committee on Geographical Names (PCGN) who advises His Majesty's Government on policies and procedures for the representation of geographical names for places and features outside the UK, excluding those of the Antarctic. For names of international maritime features beyond any sovereignty, PCGN usually advises reflecting the common English conventional name, which for this body of water is the 'Gulf of Mexico'.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to support the development of phage therapy solutions for low-to-middle-income countries.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not directly supporting the development of phage therapy solutions currently. The FCDO is monitoring research developments, which may prove phage therapy solutions useful for tackling antimicrobial resistance, other anti-infective uses, vaccines and cancer therapies, however this work is at an early stage.The Prime Minister has set out a clear path to spending 2.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product on defence spending. Doing so demands the difficult but necessary decision to reduce our Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent of Gross National Income by 2027. Decisions on how the ODA budget will be used in future will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review and resource allocation processes. We will be taking a rigorous approach to ensure all ODA delivers value for money.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures in UK relations with Bangladesh.

The UK is committed to assisting investigative, prosecuting and judicial authorities in combating international crime. Whilst we cannot comment on any individual asset recovery cases, we have robust illicit finance legislation and instruments which can be used to support asset recovery requests. The UK is providing support to the Interim Government of Bangladesh through the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre hosted by the UK's National Crime Agency and the International Centre for Asset Recovery. We will continue to support these recoveries to the extent that we can.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if the Government will seize the interest that has accrued on Roman Abramovich’s assets associated with the sale of Chelsea Football Club.

In a statement announcing the sale of Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich stated the proceeds would be used to establish a foundation for the benefit of all the victims of the war in Ukraine. The Government is determined to see the proceeds reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine as quickly as possible, and we are exploring all options to bring that about.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Oral Statement of 24 February 2025 on Ukraine, Official Report, columns 513 to 515, what diplomatic steps he is taking with his international counterparts to help end the war in Ukraine.

We remain in close contact with the United States, our European partners, and Ukraine on how to achieve a just and lasting peace that safeguards Ukraine's security and sovereignty. The UK, alongside France, is leading efforts to build a 'Coalition of the Willing' to defend any peace deal and support Ukraine's future security. The Prime Minister recently hosted over 200 military planners from 30 countries in London and attended the subsequent leaders meeting in Paris on 27 March. The Foreign Secretary took forward these discussions with Weimar+ Foreign Ministers on 31 March, and the Defence Secretary will chair the next meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group on 11 April.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 34422 on Overseas Trade: Russia; if his Department will ban UK-Russian imports and exports that are not directly linked to (a) humanitarian organisations and (b) UK and Russian embassies.

Together with our international partners, we have unleashed the largest and most severe package of trade sanctions ever imposed on a major economy. As a result, Russian imports into the UK have fallen by more than 99 per cent, and UK exports to Russia are down by more than 75 per cent. Examples of unsanctioned goods include food and pharmaceutical items. UK sanctions provide for a range of exceptions and licensing grounds, including relating to humanitarian and diplomatic activity.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Egyptian Government on consular access for Alaa Abd el-Fattah.

The UK Government continues to raise Mr Alaa Abd El-Fattah's case at the highest levels with the Egyptian government. We have been consistently clear in calling for his release and continue to press for consular access. The Prime Minister raised the case in a phone call with President Sisi on 28 February 2025 and previously wrote to President Sisi on 26 December 2024 and 8 January 2025. The Foreign Secretary raised this case with the Egyptian Foreign Minister on 23 January 2025; I raised the case with the Egyptian Ambassador to London on 18 February 2025. National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell raised this with the Egyptian Foreign Minister on 2 January 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of Elon Musk's business interests in connection with his role as head of the US Department of Government Efficiency on UK national security.

The appointment of US officials is a matter for the US and not one in which we have a role. We have no plans to make an assessment along the lines proposed. The UK-US relationship has been the cornerstone of our security and prosperity for over a century. When the Prime Minister visited the White House on 27 February 2025, he discussed with President Trump the depth of the special relationship and their commitment to shared security and prosperity.