Written questions by Glindon.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has held recent discussions with humanitarian organisations on the adequacy of prosthetics supplies in Gaza; and if he will take steps to assist humanitarian organisations increase their supply.

The plight of sick, injured and disabled people in Gaza is deeply distressing. We have pressed Israel at senior levels to urgently improve healthcare provision, including significantly increasing medical supplies, and to establish sustained, safe and timely passage for patients who need medical or surgical interventions not available in Gaza. The UK has provided funding to the Jordan Hashemite Charitable Organisation (JHCO), which includes the supply of prosthetics to Jordanian field hospitals in Gaza. Through our disability inclusion programmes, we have also provided funding for assistive technology products in Gaza via the World Health Organisation. In July, we announced £5.5m in funding to UK-Med for their field hospitals. UK-Med have provided vital care to over 300,000 Gazans since the start of the conflict, including critical limb and life-saving surgeries, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to prevent the religious persecution of Christians in Syria.

Recent events in Syria have been extraordinary, and we have been closely monitoring the treatment of religious minorities. From the opposition offensive in North West Syria on 27 November to Assad fleeing Syria this weekend, our call for the protection of all civilians, including religious minorities, has been consistent. No one should live in fear because of their beliefs, and our dedication to upholding the right of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Syria will continue during its political transition. As the Foreign Secretary stated on 9 December, the Government's priority is the protection of all civilians. Promoting FoRB is crucial for building a sustainable future for all Syrians, advancing cultural and religious diversity, and ensuring equality and human dignity for all.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts in (a) November and (b) December on the security situation for Christians in Syria.

Recent events in Syria have been extraordinary, and we have been closely monitoring the treatment of religious minorities. From the opposition offensive in North West Syria on 27 November to Assad fleeing Syria this weekend, our call for the protection of all civilians, including religious minorities, has been consistent. No one should live in fear because of their beliefs, and our dedication to upholding the right of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Syria will continue during its political transition. As the Foreign Secretary stated on 9 December, the Government's priority is the protection of all civilians. Promoting FoRB is crucial for building a sustainable future for all Syrians, advancing cultural and religious diversity, and ensuring equality and human dignity for all.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support humanitarian organisations in (a) Gaza and (b) Lebanon to prepare for winter.

The UK is committed to alleviating humanitarian suffering in both Lebanon and Gaza, particularly with the arrival of winter. The Foreign Secretary, together with his French and German counterparts, has written to Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar to urge Israel to ensure sufficient aid, including vital medical treatment, reaches civilians in Gaza. Minister Dodds also raised aid restrictions in her meetings with Israeli interlocutors during her recent visit to the region, including with Deputy Foreign Minister Haskel. I raised this issue with Minister Haskel on 05 December and met with Mr Philippe Lazzarini, the UN's Commissioner-General of UNWRA in Doha on 08 December. The UK has announced £112 million for the Occupied Palestinian Territories so far this financial year, providing vital services to civilians in Gaza and the West Bank delivered through partner agencies. Additionally, we have provided £46 million in support to Lebanon, of which £15 million is additional funding to respond to the widespread lack of shelter, and reduced access to clean water, hygiene and healthcare.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 on levels of food security in Syria.

Food, medical supplies and other humanitarian goods are not subject to UK sanctions. Culpability for the humanitarian situation in Syria lies with Bashar al-Assad and his backers, notably Russia. We have taken action to ensure that the Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 include humanitarian provisions. In May 2024, the UK introduced a statutory instrument to further facilitate the provision of fuel to those delivering humanitarian assistance in Syria.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 in encouraging the Syrian regime to (a) refrain from actions, policies or activities which repress the civilian population and (b) participate in negotiations in good faith to reach a negotiated political settlement to bring about a peaceful solution to the conflict in Syria; and how frequently his Department reviews those regulations.

Sanctions are one of the levers used to hold the Assad regime to account for the atrocities committed in Syria and it is right the UK has a robust sanctions regime in place. They target individuals and entities where there is evidence of their involvement in repressing the Syrian civilian population or have provided support to or benefitted from the Assad regime. Sanctions have significantly weakened both the capability and legitimacy of the Assad regime. The FCDO remains closely engaged across Government, with non-governmental organisations, and Syrian civil society to monitor their impact on the Syrian population. In concert with these efforts, the UK actively uses its leadership in the UN Security Council (UNSC) and Human Rights Council to draw attention to human rights abuses and push for a political settlement as laid out in UNSC Resolution 2254.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 on the Lebanese refugee population in Syria.

The UK is actively monitoring the displacement of refugees from Lebanon into Syria and continues to work closely with the UN and other partners to ensure that sanctions do not impact humanitarian operations. UK support includes Mobile Medical and Integrated Mobile Teams on the ground, which are offering critical services, such as healthcare, food and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) as well as essential support for women and girls, child protection and GBV needs. This is being directed towards border crossings and near areas where returnees are based.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 on human rights in Syria.

Sanctions are one of the levers used to hold the Assad regime to account for the atrocities committed in Syria and it is right the UK has a robust sanctions regime in place. They target individuals and entities where there is evidence of their involvement in repressing the Syrian civilian population or have provided support to or benefitted from the Assad regime. Sanctions have significantly weakened both the capability and legitimacy of the Assad regime. The FCDO remains closely engaged across Government, with non-governmental organisations, and Syrian civil society to monitor their impact on the Syrian population. In concert with these efforts, the UK actively uses its leadership in the UN Security Council (UNSC) and Human Rights Council to draw attention to human rights abuses and push for a political settlement as laid out in UNSC Resolution 2254.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to encourage a ceasefire on the Israel-Lebanon Blue Line.

We were the first G7 country to call for the implementation of an immediate ceasefire between Lebanese Hizballah and Israel, on 19 September. The Prime Minister has spoken with a number of international leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, His Majesty King Abdullah II, President Macron and Chancellor Scholz, to press the case for restraint. This builds on extensive discussions by the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary at the UN with regional leaders. The Foreign Secretary spoke with counterparts in Egypt, Oman and Iraq about our ongoing efforts for de-escalation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help increase the amount of potable water in Gaza.

As part of the wider ask for greater aid access into Gaza, this government, including the Foreign Secretary, have consistently raised the need for greater access to water supplies, and the opening of vital water lines, with Israel. Through UK funding to humanitarian agencies, including United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and UK-Med, we are also providing essential healthcare to civilians in Gaza, including activities to improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). On 7 August, on her visit to Jordan, the Minister of State for Development announced £6 million of funding for UNICEF. The package will help tens of thousands of Gazans access food and water, as well as health, education and wellbeing services. The UK has also committed £1.2 million in co-funding with Kuwait to support UNICEF's WASH work in Gaza.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Israeli Government on the Israeli military's reported use of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital in Gaza.

The FCDO is closely monitoring the impact of the conflict in Gaza on access to medical facilities and healthcare, and we remain deeply concerned by reports that many medical facilities are no longer in use. We call on all parties to abide by international humanitarian law.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help increase the amount of medical and surgical equipment entering Gaza.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is intolerable and deteriorating. During his recent visit to the region, the Foreign Secretary stressed the importance of the safe distribution of aid, including lifesaving medical supplies to civilians who desperately need them. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the need for greater aid access in his statement to the UN General Assembly on 26 September. It is the assessment of this Government that Israel can and must do more to ensure that aid can flow freely into and within Gaza.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help humanitarian bodies access northern Gaza.

The UK Government is very concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the deteriorating access to northern Gaza.As set out in the Foreign Secretary's statement on 2 September, Israel could and must do more to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches civilians in Gaza. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the need for greater aid access in his statement to the UN General Assembly on 26 September. The Foreign Secretary, working with international partners, continues to press Israeli leaders to ensure aid can flow freely into and through Gaza.