Written questions by Wood.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much his Department has paid to Inter Mediate since July 2024; and what (a) programmes and (b) purposes this funding was for.

For over ten years, Inter Mediate and the UK Government have successfully partnered to advance peace efforts in conflicts around the globe. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office funds a number of different civil society and non-governmental organisations for its mediation and conflict resolution work. We do not share details of the individual projects funded.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Syrian Ambassador on the suicide bombing in Damascus on 22 June 2025; and what diplomatic steps he is taking to help protect people practicing minority religions in Syria.

The UK strongly condemned the terrorist attack at Mar Elias Church, and remains committed to combatting terrorism. There is not currently a Syrian Ambassador to the UK, but during the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to Damascus, he expressed his condolences to President Al-Sharaa. He also underlined the importance of an inclusive political transition and protecting the rights of all Syrians, and offered the Syrian Government our support in achieving this. We continue to press the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence, protect human rights and hold those responsible to account.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Prime Minister’s oral contribution of 4 June 2025, Official Report, Column 301, if he will provide evidential basis for his comment on China.

I refer the Hon Member to my answer given to PQ 61199.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the FCDO press release LGBTQIA+ Legal Guidebook launched in Philippines for Pride Month published on 23 June 2025, if he will publish the legal guidebook.

The LGBTQIA+ Legal Guidebook has been published online on the website of TrustLaw, the Thomson Reuters Foundation's global pro-bono legal network.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Mauritian counterpart on flying the (a) Mauritius Flag and (b) United Kingdom Union flag on the Chagos Archipelago after the UK/Mauritius treaty on the Chagos Archipelago comes into force.

A British flag will continue to be flown at the UK-US Base on Diego Garcia, alongside the US flag, as it has always done.After the treaty enters into force, Mauritius will be free to resettle on the outer islands. It will be for Mauritius to decide what flag they fly over these islands.Mauritius will be free to fly the Mauritian flag on the Chagos Archipelago other than on the Diego Garcia base.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Government property was stolen during his disputed taxi journey from Italy to France.

No government property or material was stolen. The incident in question was reported to local Police authorities at the time and as far as we are aware is currently subject to an investigation, it would be inappropriate to discuss any matters regarding an ongoing case.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential risks to Ministers of undertaking personal foreign travel without a security detail; what guidance he has provided to Ministers on this matter; and whether he plans to update his Department's guidance.

It is the Government's long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on matters of protective security. To do so could compromise the integrity of those arrangements and affect the security of the individuals concerned.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 8 April 2025 to Question 43485 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Flags, whether his Department has had discussions with Westminster City Council on this matter.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has had no discussions with Westminster City Council on this matter.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, CP 1334, whether payments to be made will be allocated to the (a) defence and (b) official development assistance budget.

The costs associated with the deal will be split between the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. None of the funds will be classed as development aid.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the (a) type of alcohol, (b) make and (c) vintage was of each bottle of alcohol consumed from the Government Wine Cellar at each Number (i) 10 and (ii) 11 Downing Street reception other than diplomatic hospitality since 4 July 2024; when each reception took place; and what the theme was of each reception.

No alcohol from the Government Wine Cellar has been consumed at receptions held at Number 10 and Number 11 Downing Street since 4 July 2024.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, CP 1334, what estimate his Department has made of the monetary value of each payment in cash terms to be made in each year of the agreement.

As stated in the Explanatory Memorandum, the average annual cost to the UK during the initial 99-year period of the treaty is £101 million in 2025/2026 prices.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to improve the (a) transparency and (b) accountability of Official Development Assistance.

Aid Transparency remains a high priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The FCDO was rated "Very Good" in the most recent Aid Transparency Index and was the leading foreign ministry on the Index.We publish detailed data on all FCDO Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects and programmes monthly in line with the International Aid Transparency Initiative standard. We continually review the quality of published information. The FCDO is also funding an Aid Transparency Review of other UK government departments. This will make recommendations to improve the overall quality of information published on UK ODA.All FCDO ODA projects and programmes are managed in line with the FCDO Programme Operating Framework. The Programme Operating Framework sets out accountability for ODA delivery including at project approval, annual review and project completion. Relevant documents are published as part of our transparency commitments. The Programme Operating Framework is formally reviewed every 6 months.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on how many occasions he has taken a personal holiday following an official visit; and how the travel costs were paid for in those circumstances.

The standards of conduct expected of ministers are set out in the Ministerial Code. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not routinely comment on the personal travel arrangements of protected individuals.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many (a) bedrooms, (b) living rooms, (c) bathrooms and (d) kitchens the ministerial residence in 1 Carlton Gardens has.

The ministerial residence in 1 Carlton Gardens has a) five bedrooms, b) three living rooms, c) three bathrooms including one ensuite off the Master bedroom, and d) one kitchen.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Ministers may use diplomatic passports for personal overseas travel.

Where Ministers exceptionally hold a diplomatic passport, this is for official use only and not for personal overseas travel.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the planning application to Westminster City Council, reference number 25/01451/LBC, whether his Department plans to display Government Art Collection artworks that are not currently on display; and what the total cost is of the works to install picture rails.

The outcome of the Listed Building Consent application is not yet known. A decision about artwork will be finalised after approval has been granted and the cost of purchasing and installing picture rails has been determined.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) utilising or (b) amending the provisions of the Trading with the Enemy Act 1939 to designate Russia as an enemy for the purposes of that Act.

The Trading with the Enemy Act 1939 can only be used in relation to countries that are at war with the UK. The UK is not at war with Russia, so we cannot use the Act. The UK has implemented extensive sanctions against Russia, which already significantly restrict trade and other financial dealings with Russia. We have sanctioned 2,300 individuals from Russia, and our sanctions have deprived Russia of $450 billion in revenue since February 2022. We, along with international partners, have excluded Russia from the SWIFT system, which stopped Russian banks from conducting financial transactions worldwide in a fast and efficient manner. Russian imports into the UK have fallen by more than 98 per cent compared to pre-invasion levels, and UK exports to Russia are down by more than 80 per cent.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2025 to Question 44591 on Stonewall: Arms Length Bodies and Government Bodies, if he will make it his policy to discontinue his Department's partnerships with Stonewall.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works closely with a range of civil society organisations to defend the human rights of LGBT+ people around the world. This has included valuable work with Stonewall to reduce violence and discrimination towards LBT+ women in the Caribbean, Southern Africa, and Eastern Europe; protect LGBT+ people in high-risk situations; and relocate the most vulnerable LGBT+ people from Afghanistan. Future funding decisions will be taken as part of the spending review, in keeping with FCDO policies.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2025 to Question 23476 on USA: Diplomatic Service, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of Lord Mandelson's previous interests in relation to China.

There is an established mechanism in place for the management of interests held by all Senior Civil Servants. This ensures that steps are taken to avoid or mitigate any potential or perceived conflicts of interest. I can confirm that this mechanism applies in the usual way to Lord Mandelson's appointment. In line with guidance, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not publish declarations of interest.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether candidates for the US Ambassador role were vetted to Developed Vetting level.

All those appointed to FCDO roles undergo pre-employment checks and National Security Vetting. All Ambassador roles require Developed Vetting level clearance.