Written questions by Duncan-Jordan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to safeguard British citizens who were aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla and are imprisoned by Israel.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans her Department has to help ensure the safety of UK citizens on board the Global Sumud Flotilla.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against all travel to Gaza. Palestine travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Delivering aid on the scale needed can only be done properly and safely through the well-established land routes. We continue to urge Israel to allow sufficient aid into Gaza in line with minimum targets set out in the 20 point plan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Israel–Iran confrontation and escalating hostilities in Lebanon on (a) regional stability in the Middle East, (b) the humanitarian and political situation inside Lebanon and (c) the risk of wider regional escalation involving additional states and non-state actors.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 17 March, and her answers to the questions raised in response.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her international counterparts on the likelihood of internal uprisings leading to regime change in Iran.

I refer the Hon Member to the public and parliamentary statements made by the Prime Minister on 28 February, 1 March, 2 March and 5 March, where he set out in depth the UK's position on this conflict.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of regime change in Iran on regional stability.

I refer the Hon Member to the public and parliamentary statements made by the Prime Minister on 28 February, 1 March, 2 March and 5 March, where he set out in depth the UK's position on this conflict.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Israeli Government's plans to develop the E1 settlement corridor east of Jerusalem, including on the viability of a negotiated two-state solution.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 20 January in response to Question 907375.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Monroe Doctrine.

It is for the United States to set its own security and defence policy, as it is for any government.However, there are many issues and initiatives where we share common objectives with the US, ranging from the AUKUS treaty and our joint work on critical minerals, to the ongoing efforts to secure peace and stability in Gaza, Sudan and Syria.We will continue to work with our closest partner to pursue those and other shared goals.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to ratify the UN High Seas Treaty by June 2026.

Following Royal Assent of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act (BBNJ), further secondary legislation is required before the BBNJ Agreement can be ratified by the UK. This will happen when the parliamentary timetable allows.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations her Department has made to the Israeli Government over the decision to demolish a football pitch in the Aida Refugee Camp in the West Bank.

The UK regularly raises the situation in the West Bank with the Israeli government, including the demolitions of housing, olive groves, and other civilian infrastructure, carried out in breach of International Humanitarian Law.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her United States counterpart on the military operation in Venezuela and compliance with international law.

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 she has made representations to her Israeli counterpart on its decision to remove registration from 31 December 2025 from international NGOs operating in the occupied Palestinian territory.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement I made on 5 January.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of membership of the ECHR.

The UK is already a High Contracting Party of the ECHR and has been since it entered into force in 1953.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the relationship between the UK and Israel.

The UK government has taken action in response to the egregious activity of the Israeli government in Gaza and the West Bank. The actions of this Israeli government are isolating Israel from its friends and partners around the world and in response we have suspended negotiations with the Israeli government on a new free trade agreement. We will also review cooperation under the 2030 Bilateral Roadmap.The decision made by the Israeli Government on 8 August to further escalate its offensive in Gaza is wrong, and we urge it to reconsider immediately. This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages. It will only bring more bloodshed.Every day the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens and hostages taken by Hamas are being held in appalling and inhuman conditions. What we need is a ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages by Hamas and a negotiated solution. Hamas can play no part in the future of Gaza and must leave as well as disarm.Together with our allies, we are working on a long-term plan to secure peace in the region as part of a two-state solution, and ultimately achieve a brighter future for Palestinians and Israelis. As part of this, on 29 July, the Prime Minister announced the UK will recognise the state of Palestine in September before the United Nations General Assembly; unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commits to a long-term sustainable peace. These actions do not undermine our support for the Israeli people, our commitment to their security, and standing with them against the evil of antisemitism.This financial year we have allocated £101 million for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, covering our significant humanitarian response in Gaza and the West Bank, our support for Palestinian economic development, reform of the Palestinian Authority, and supporting Palestinian refugees in the region.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether time spent in Gibraltar by UK citizens will count against the 90-day allowance for stays in Schengen countries.

Non-resident British nationals can currently visit Gibraltar for up to 90 days. The same will be the case under this agreement. As visitors will be free to cross into Spain without checks, time spent in Gibraltar will count towards the EU's 90 in 180 requirement. Immigration into Gibraltar is, and will remain, the responsibility of the Government of Gibraltar.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will ensure that time spent in Gibraltar does not reduce the time British citizens can spend in Schengen countries.

To unlock the benefits of a fluid border, all individuals arriving at Gibraltar's airport will undergo dual immigration controls allowing them to move freely into the EU if they wish to. As visitors will be free to cross into Spain without checks, time spent in Gibraltar will count towards the EU's 90 in 180 requirement. This agreement provides a solution to the unique situation in Gibraltar, ensuring a fluid border and delivering certainty for Gibraltar's people and businesses.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he next plans to discuss the case of Alaa Abd el-Fattah with his Egyptian counterpart.

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 urgent 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 Egyptian Foreign Minister on 23 January 2025. I raised the case with the Egyptian Ambassador to London on 18 February 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, column 631, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the decision to reduce official development assistance on future Government funding for UNWRA.

Since the Foreign Secretary restored funding to the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in July 2024, the UK has committed £41 million this financial year to UNRWA to deliver essential services for civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, and to Palestinian refugees across the region. The UK is clear that UNRWA plays a vital role in delivering essential services and humanitarian assistance, as well as enabling the broader international response in Gaza through its logistics and distribution network. As with all Official Development Assistance spend, new allocations provided to delivery partners, including UNRWA, will be announced in the usual way. The Prime Minister made clear in the House on 25 February that this Government is proud of the UK's pioneering record on overseas development, and we will continue to play a key humanitarian role in Gaza.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will re-establish the Department for International Development.

As set out in the 2024 Labour Party manifesto, the Government's plans are to strengthen international development work within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if his Department will make additional resources available to the ICC.

The UK is a strong supporter of an effective and independent International Criminal Court (ICC) . This year we are providing support of £13.6 million to the ICC's annual (2025) budget. At present we have no plans to make additional resources available to the ICC.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of taking(a) legislative and (b) regulatory steps to prohibit UK (i) nationals, (ii) companies and (iii) financial institutions from conducting business (A) in and (B) with illegal Israeli settlements.

The UK Government considers Israeli settlements illegal under international law and goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from tariff and trade preferences under the UK's current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Israel.We support accurate labelling of settlement goods, so as not to mislead the consumer. We routinely update our guidance to British businesses on the Overseas Business Risk website and advise them to bear in mind the UK Government's view on the illegality of settlements under international law when considering their investments and activities in the region.On 15 October, the Foreign Secretary announced new sanctions targeting three illegal settler outposts and four organisations that have supported and sponsored violence against communities in the West Bank. The Government does not comment on future sanctions measures, as to do so would reduce their impact.