Written questions by Patel.

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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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.

Whether he made representations to the Chinese Government on (a) the bounties placed by the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities on Hong Kongers living in the UK (b) concerns over human rights, (c) the effect of Hong Kong’s National Security Law and (d) the detention of Jimmy Lai during his recent visit to China.

This Government continues to stand firm on the issue of human rights in China, including relating to Hong Kong and Jimmy Lai. The recent visit by the Secretary of State gave the opportunity to discuss issues that matter to the UK with senior levels of the Chinese government, including areas where we disagree.

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.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 34245 on Transport: Infrastructure, if she will publish Capital Review Panel's (a) terms of reference, (b) the dates it has met and (c) its budget; whether members of the Panel receive (i) remuneration, (ii) expenses and (iii) other financial recompense; and if the Panel has considered the (A) A12 widening scheme; and (B) the A120 dualling scheme proposals.

The Capital Review is an internal review, therefore the Panel’s terms of reference and proceedings are internal to the Department. Panel members are providing their time voluntarily and have not received any expenses or other financial recompense. The Panel has no allocated budget and the only costs incurred are through a small official secretariat. The Capital Review’s primary aim is to provide the Secretary of State with strategic advice, not to provide advice on individual schemes.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2025 to Question 36631 on Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, what the nature was of discussions with his counterparts in China on the foreign influence registration scheme.

The Foreign Secretary met his counterpart Wang Yi in China in October 2024. The conversations covered the full range of bilateral issues. We engage frankly on the difficult issues, as part of our consistent and regular engagement with China. National Security is the first duty of government, and we will always act to protect it.

If she will assess the (a) economic and (b) road safety impact of delaying the (i) implementation and (ii) construction of the A12 widening scheme.

It was announced in the Autumn Budget that Phase 2 of the Spending Review will conclude in late spring 2025. Until this time, it is not possible to assess the full impact of the extremely challenging financial inheritance this Government received on the A12 widening scheme and in turn its impact on (a) the economy and (b) road safety.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential threat from China to UK national security; and when she plans to make a decision on the status of China in relation to the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.

We continually assess potential threats to the UK and treat the protection of our national security with the upmost seriousness. Upholding national security and keeping the public safe is the first duty of Government.We are taking a consistent, long term and strategic approach to managing the UK's relations with China. We will co-operate where we can; compete where we need to; and challenge where we must, including on issues of national security.With regards to FIRS, I told the House in March, we intend to lay regulations before Parliament as soon as possible with a view to having the scheme up and running by the summer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether changes were made to the (a) lease extension arrangements and (b) arrangements covering the exercise of sovereign rights on Diego Garcia in the treaty with Mauritius after 13 November 2024.

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

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2025 to Question 36638 on Mauritius: Trade Agreements, if he will publish the map of the (a) proposed buffer zone and (b) islands (i) in scope and (ii) not in scope of the comprehensive mechanism referenced.

The deal is rooted in a rational and resolute determination to protect UK security. Once signed, it will protect the base on Diego Garcia and cement UK and U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific for generations to come.  Once an agreement is reached and the Treaty is signed, the Treaty will be put before both Houses for scrutiny under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act (CRaG) process in the usual way.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what Official Development Assistance funding he plans to provide to Syria in 2025.

As I announced at the Brussels Pledging Conference for Syria on 17 March, we have pledged up to £160 million of UK support to Syria's recovery and stability in 2025. This will provide life-saving assistance to millions of Syrians inside Syria and across the region, as well as agriculture, livelihoods and education programmes to help Syrians rebuild their lives and livelihoods.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2025 to Question 36634 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, on which date the Mauritius Marine Protected Area will be implemented.

The 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, for what reason his meeting with the Prime Minister of Mauritius on 23 July 2024 was not included in the transparency data entitled FCDO ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings, July to September 2024, published on 30 January 2025; and if he will update that record.

As per standard practice, the Government Transparency data for July-September 2024 records the Foreign Secretary's meetings with external organisations. Bilateral meetings between the Foreign Secretary and other Governments are not required to be disclosed as part of this exercise.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer given on 11 February 2025 to Question 28011 on Hamas: UNRWA, what assessment he has made of UNRWA's implementation of the Colonna review; and what steps he has taken to investigate the alleged use of UNRWA facilities by Hamas.

The United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) have committed to fully investigate any allegations against their employees and to continue implementation of the Colonna Report's recommendations. UNRWA must meet the highest standards of neutrality as laid out in the report. £1 million of our funding to UNRWA this year is supporting the implementation of its agreed Action Plan to ensure UNRWA commits to these neutrality obligations. We welcome the fact that UNRWA has said there should be an investigation into any misuse of its facilities. We have encouraged the Government of Israel to share any evidence of misuse of UNRWA facilities with the UN.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the outcome of the Iranian nuclear talks undertaken by Iran, China and Russia in March 2025; and what steps he plans to take following those talks.

Iran's nuclear programme has never been more advanced and threatens international peace and security. The UK continues to work with international partners in pursuit of a diplomatic solution. We welcome efforts to this end and we will track the outcomes of the recent meeting between Iran, China, and Russia. The onus is now on Iran to take the offer of diplomacy as proposed by President Trump. We will use all diplomatic options to ensure Iran never develops a nuclear weapon including UN snapback, if necessary.