Written questions by Mishra.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support (a) the Democratic Republic of the Congo and (b) Uganda to manage Ebola outbreaks.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for UK foreign policy of the United Nations General Assembly resolution of 25 March 2026 recognising the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity and calling for reparatory justice; and for what reasons the United Kingdom abstained in that vote.

No such assessment is required, but the Hon Member can find the UK's Explanation of Vote at the following link on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/uk-explanation-of-vote-on-the-declaration-of-the-trafficking-of-enslaved-africans-and-racialised-chattel-enslavement-of-africans-as-the-gravest-crime.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking through its international development programmes to reduce maternal sepsis linked to poor hygiene conditions during childbirth.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 26 March in response to Question 122018.At the heart of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's future health programming is a clear commitment to strengthening health systems, and raising the overall level of primary healthcare provision - including hygiene standards - that influence outcomes for women in childbirth.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what her Department's policy is on the sovereignty of the Republic of Cuba.

Consistent with the UN Charter, the UK recognises the principle of the sovereign equality of all UN Member States, including Cuba.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of statements by the President of the United States and senior US officials on the Republic of Cuba’s political future, in the context of recent US military actions in Venezuela.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement to the House made by the Foreign Secretary on 5 January, and her responses in that debate.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the conduct and outcome of the 29 October 2025 general election in the United Republic of Tanzania.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 November 2025 in response to Question 87702.In addition, on 5 December, our High Commission in Dar es Salaam issued a statement alongside partners urging the Tanzanian government to address the shortcomings highlighted in the African Union and Southern African Development Community's preliminary election observation reports.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Bangladeshi counterpart on the killing of Dipu Chandra Das.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 12 January in response to Question 101933.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.

I refer the Hon. Member to my statement to the House on 4 November 2025, Official Report, vol. 774, col. 33WS to 35WS.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support Cuba following Hurricane Melissa.

I refer the Hon. Member to my statement to the House on 4 November 2025, Official Report, vol. 774, col. 33WS to 35WS.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department will provide travel support to elderly British residents seeking to visit (a) family and (b) friends in northern Cyprus.

As stated in our Travel Advice, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) can only provide limited consular support for British Nationals visiting areas in the north of Cyprus that are not under control of the Republic of Cyprus.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to integrate water, sanitation and hygiene into the UK’s international (a) climate adaptation and (b) resilience programmes.

The Foreign, Commonwealth, Development Office's (FCDO) water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) portfolio contributes to building climate resilient systems and supporting adaptation to the impacts of climate change. Since 2020 we have supported governments to establish climate resilient and sustainable WASH services, providing technical assistance and other support to low-income countries.Through our WASH Systems for Health programme we are working with UNICEF, NGOs such as WaterAid and countries including Bangladesh, Malawi, Madagascar, Pakistan and Nepal to make systems more climate-resilient.We also support the World Bank to accelerate the Water Security and Climate Adaptation Global Challenge Programme, driving reform and attracting private finance to strengthen climate adaptation and resilience, and we are supporting the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation and other development organisations to embed water into national climate plans through the Water Resilience Tracker.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 57392 on Western Sahara: Politics and Government, what his policy is on United Nations Security Council Resolution 377 passed in 1975 on Western Sahara.

As a member of the UN Security Council, the UK continues to support the UN-led process and efforts, and engage with the UN Personal Envoy of the Secretary General for Western Sahara Staffan de Mistura closely on Western Sahara. It is for the parties to the dispute to agree a resolution on the final status of Western Sahara and the UK offers its full support to both the parties and the UN to achieve a mutually-acceptable solution to the conflict.On 1 June, the Foreign Secretary endorsed Morocco's autonomy proposal as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution of the Western Sahara conflict. Through our endorsement we hope to progress the stalemate of the conflict towards a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution, based on compromise, which conforms with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including the principle of respect for self-determination.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his Department’s policy is on the status of the territory of Western Sahara.

The UK regards the status of Western Sahara as undetermined. We support the parties and the UN to reach a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution, based on compromise, which conforms with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.On 1 June, the Government endorsed Morocco's autonomy proposal as the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution, and welcomed Morocco's willingness to engage in good faith with all relevant parties, and to expand on details, with a view to restarting serious negotiations on terms acceptable to the parties. Both the UK and Morocco have reaffirmed the paramount importance of a rules-based international order, including support for the principle of respect for self-determination. The UK will continue to support the efforts of the United Nations and the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, and work with all stakeholders to encourage dialogue and compromise.