Written questions by Patel.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his speech at the British Chamber of Commerce on 20 March 2025, what (a) the priority markets are that he has identified, (b) (i) targets and (ii) key performance indicators will be applied to ambassadors in priority markets, (c) additional diplomatic capacity will be provided to priority markets and (d) the forthcoming programme of domestic roadshows announced will be; on what dates the Lancaster House Business Engagement Series will be taking place in (i) 2025 and (ii) future years; and which businesses he intends to invite to the Lancaster House Business Engagement Series.

The FCDO's approach to driving growth is focusing on the EU, the US and China, and a range of other economically important markets, such as India and Japan. Our Heads of Mission have begun producing Strategic Economic Growth Plans, identifying top opportunities and key deliverables across the Industrial Strategy's growth-driving sectors. Given trade and commercial sensitivities, these plans will not be published. The programme of domestic roadshows, the Lancaster House Business Engagement Series, and the Diplomatic Placement Programme are currently under development. The FCDO is finalising a workforce strategy for the next Spending Review period. This will ensure that resource and capability prioritises the Government's Missions with a clearer focus on accountability and delivery.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his speech at the British Chamber of Commerce on 20 March 2025, by what date he expects ambassadors to have produced Strategic Economic Growth Plans; and whether those plans will be published.

The FCDO's approach to driving growth is focusing on the EU, the US and China, and a range of other economically important markets, such as India and Japan. Our Heads of Mission have begun producing Strategic Economic Growth Plans, identifying top opportunities and key deliverables across the Industrial Strategy's growth-driving sectors. Given trade and commercial sensitivities, these plans will not be published. The programme of domestic roadshows, the Lancaster House Business Engagement Series, and the Diplomatic Placement Programme are currently under development. The FCDO is finalising a workforce strategy for the next Spending Review period. This will ensure that resource and capability prioritises the Government's Missions with a clearer focus on accountability and delivery.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his speech to the British Chamber of Commerce on 20 March 2025, if he will make an estimate of the potential impact of each of the policies announced in that speech on economic growth.

The FCDO's approach to driving growth is focusing on the EU, the US and China, and a range of other economically important markets, such as India and Japan. Our Heads of Mission have begun producing Strategic Economic Growth Plans, identifying top opportunities and key deliverables across the Industrial Strategy's growth-driving sectors. Given trade and commercial sensitivities, these plans will not be published. The programme of domestic roadshows, the Lancaster House Business Engagement Series, and the Diplomatic Placement Programme are currently under development. The FCDO is finalising a workforce strategy for the next Spending Review period. This will ensure that resource and capability prioritises the Government's Missions with a clearer focus on accountability and delivery.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies in the Middle East of the US's approach to (a) Iran, (b) the Houthis in Yemen and (c) Hamas.

We work closely with the US on all of our Middle East priorities and the Foreign Secretary has discussed the situation in the Middle East with Secretary Rubio on multiple occasions.We will continue to work with the US to advance regional peace and stability. This includes reiterating the UK's commitment to a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages by Hamas and holding Iran to account for its malign regional activity, including in multilateral fora and through our sanctions regimes. We also continue to work with the US to contain the Houthi threat and protect Freedom of Navigation in the Red Sea.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the level of (a) support, (b) resources and (c) financing provided by Iran to Hamas.

Iran's support for Hamas is unacceptable and further destabilises regional stability and security. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have reiterated to our Iranian counterparts that Iran must cease providing its proxies and partners with weaponry and financing.We will continue to work with our international partners to hold Iran to account for its destabilising regional activity, and to reiterate our commitment to a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages by Hamas.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of allegations that (a) Hamas and (b) other terrorist and criminal groups have control over aid in Gaza.

We are aware of allegations from the Government of Israel that Hamas is using humanitarian aid for their own gain and have encouraged Israel to share any evidence of this with the UN/INGOs. We have not seen clear evidence of systematic aid diversion to Hamas, and given the ongoing hostilities in Gaza we are not able to verify allegations through direct monitoring. FCDO humanitarian programmes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories operate with enhanced sensitivity and additional safeguards to manage the risk of aid diversion. Our emergency humanitarian response is delivered through trusted, credible partners to minimise risk. These partners operate in line with humanitarian principles, including neutrality, and have demonstrated their ability to deliver aid to the most vulnerable in this challenging context. We remain in regular contact with partners regarding operational delivery, risk management and monitoring of delivery.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will list which of his counterparts from countries in the Middle East region (a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have met with to discuss (i) the release of hostages held and (ii) securing a lasting peace in Gaza.

Securing an immediate ceasefire and the safe release of all hostages has been a priority for this government since the start of this conflict. We will not stop until they are all home.We thank Qatar, Egypt, and the US for their support in bringing these individuals' and their families' horrific ordeal to an end. Our thoughts are also with those still waiting to be reunited with their loved ones, including the family of UK linked hostage's. Since the renewed outbreak of hostilities, the Foreign Secretary has spoken to Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer on 20 March and to his Israeli counterpart Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 21 March during which he urged that Israel do all it can to return to a ceasefire in Gaza. The Foreign Secretary also remains in regular contact with US Secretary of State Rubio.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to review the status of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham as a proscribed terrorist group.

The Government does not routinely comment on whether a group is being considered for proscription or de-proscription.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions (a) he has and (b) his ministerial colleagues have had with counterparts from countries in the Middle East on the ending of Hamas' role in the future governance of Gaza.

The Foreign Secretary welcomed the Arab initiative of a Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza, alongside Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and Italy on 8 March. Reconstruction efforts must be based upon a solid political and security framework that provides long-term peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike. We are committed to working with the Arab initiative, Palestinians and Israel, including on security and governance, and are engaging international partners to support efforts. We are clear there can be no role for Hamas. The UK supports a central role for the Palestinian Authority.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to prevent Iran from providing (a) weapons and (b) resources to terrorist proxies in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have both made clear to their Iranian counterparts that Iran must restrain its proxies and partners and cease providing them with weaponry and other resources.We will continue to work with our international partners to tackle this malign behaviour, including by holding Iran to account in multilateral fora and through sanctions; addressing Iranian weapons proliferation and illicit finance channels; and maintaining our permanent defence presence in the region.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on securing phase 2 of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

The Foreign Secretary recently spoke with US Secretary of State Rubio and Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff on how we can work together to secure a ceasefire in Gaza which sees the release of all remaining hostages. We are in close contact with the US Administration and international partners on our priorities, in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and will continue to work with them to secure a long-term political solution. The UK also welcomed the Arab initiative of a Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza. We welcome proposals from the region that begin to chart a way forward on reconstruction and building a lasting peace. We are clear there can be no role for Hamas in Gaza's future.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of statements made by the Prime Minister of Mauritius on the Chagos Archipelago in the Mauritius National Assembly on 4 February 2025.

There has been a lot of speculation and incorrect reporting about the content of the deal, some of it related to inaccurate media stories following Prime Minister Ramgoolam's statements on 4 February. On 5 February the Mauritian government clarified these statements. As we have said, there has been no change to the overall cost of the deal or duration of the agreement. Both sides remain committed to concluding a deal on the future of the Chagos Archipelago which protects the long-term effective operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia.  We continue to engage with Mauritius and are not going to provide a running commentary on the details.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date was the most recent draft of the proposed treaty with Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territory agreed between both the UK and Mauritian Governments.

As we and Mauritius have repeatedly said, including in joint statements on 20 December 2024 and on 13 January, both sides remain committed to concluding a deal on the future of the Chagos Archipelago which protects the long-term effective operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia.  We continue to engage with Mauritius and are not going to provide a running commentary on the details.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 36635 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether he has received proposals from his Mauritian counterpart on a new Mauritian Marine Protected Area (MPA); whether the area for the proposed MPA will be different to the existing MPA; whether a map of the proposed MPA will be published; whether the proposed treaty with Mauritius will contain provisions to (a) ensure a continuity of protection for the existing area covered by the existing MPA once the proposed change in sovereignty takes place, (b) maintain the existing MPA and (c) require Mauritius to implement a new MPA; and if he will make an estimate of the potential cost to the public purse of supporting Mauritius in implementing a new MPA.

As per previous PQ answers, the agreement will be supported by an enhanced partnership between the UK and Mauritius on conservation. That enhanced partnership will prioritise high conservation standards, with the UK supporting Mauritius' ambitions to establish a Marine Protected Area (MPA) that protects the globally significant ecosystems in the Chagos Archipelago. Further engagement on the details of the MPA will take place as part of the implementation of the Agreement post-signature.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK-Mauritius political agreement on the exercise of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, announced on 3 October 2024, whether Prime Minister Ramgoolam requested changes to the provisions on the exercising of sovereign rights and authorities over Diego Garcia for the duration of the lease after 3 October 2024.

As we and Mauritius have repeatedly said, including in joint statements on 20 December 2024 and on 13 January, both sides remain committed to concluding a deal on the future of the Chagos Archipelago which protects the long-term effective operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia.  We continue to engage with Mauritius and are not going to provide a running commentary on the details.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the agreement with Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territory will contain dispute and arbitration mechanisms.

Once an agreement is reached and the Treaty is signed, the Treaty will be put before both Houses for scrutiny under the CRaG process in the usual way.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Marine Protected Area covering the British Indian Ocean Territory.

The BIOT Administration has responsibility for the management and monitoring of its Marine Protected Area. Annual reports have been undertaken by the Chief Scientific Advisor; reports up to the year 2020 are available online with subsequent years expected to be published in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, under the provisions of the most recent draft of the proposed treaty between the UK and Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territory on what date the proposed transfer of sovereignty will commence.

After signature, the Treaty will only come into force once both the UK and Mauritius have completed their own domestic procedures to enable ratification. For the UK, this will involve bringing forwards primary legislation as well as the usual Treaty scrutiny process in Parliament.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the proposed agreement with Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territory will contain (a) provisions and (b) timescales when costings can be reviewed; whether a measure of indexation will be used to uplift UK payments to Mauritius for the lease; what currency will payments be required to be made including the relevant exchange rate provision; at what point will the UK need to give notice of it’s request to extend the lease; whether the Mauritius Government will be able to set the cost of the exercise of the extension provisions; and whether arbitration processes will be in place to arbitrate potential disputes over the costs of exercising the lease extension provisions.

Once an agreement is signed further details of the Treaty will be put before both Houses for scrutiny and treaty ratification in the usual way. This will include costs.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what criteria he will use to assess whether to provide UNRWA with funding in 2025.

We cannot yet confirm funding allocations for financial year 2025-26, but continue to assess all overseas development assistance robustly against government priorities. The UK has provided £41 million this financial year for United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This supports delivery of UNRWA's vital work, ensuring that Palestinians have access to humanitarian assistance, education and healthcare in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the region.