Written questions by Maskell.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to attend the third session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in April and May 2025.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Director for Defence and International Security and the UK Ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament are representing the UK at the 2025 Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).The UK national statement to the Preparatory Committee, delivered on 29 April, set out the UK's commitment to the NPT and the important contribution it makes to global security.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to publish legal advice on the licensing of arms sales to Israel.

The Government has published a summary of the international humanitarian law (IHL) process used to assess and review Israel's compliance with IHL. This summary, informed by legal advice, alongside the Foreign Secretary's Oral Statement outlined the decision and where we have deemed there are risks that UK arms might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of IHL. This is more transparent than any government has previously been about a decision of this nature.[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/summary-of-the-international-humanitarian-law-ihl-process-decision-and-the-factors-taken-into-account#:~:text=The%20government%20has%20conducted%20a%20thorough%20review%20of%20Israel%E2%80%99s%20compliance].

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his EU counterparts on the potential merits of introducing a special envoy on the freedom of religion or belief.

The UK is committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in.The appointment of David Smith MP as the UK Special Envoy for FoRB in December 2024 is a clear signal of the UK's ongoing commitment to the promotion of this right around the world. Many of our European partners, including the EU itself, have also appointed envoys focusing on FoRB. The UK Envoy works closely with his international counterparts, including through the Article 18 Alliance, to promote FoRB for all.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Saudi counterpart on the (a) policy and (b) scale of capital punishment in that country.

The UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstances as our joint statement with the EU on World Day Against the Death Penalty made clear. The Saudi authorities are well aware of our opposition. As the Minister for the Middle East, I raised Saudi human rights during my recent visit to the Kingdom.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the World Food Programme and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations' report on Hunger Hotspots June to October 2024, published in June 2024, what assistance he is providing to the (a) five countries and (b) territories on the highest level of alert at risk of famine.

The UK is deeply concerned by the findings of the June-October 2024 Hunger Hotspots report. We are the second largest government donor to the World Food Programme (WFP) and to date in 2024 have contributed over $360 million to WFP programmes, including in Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan and Haiti.At the G20 Development Ministers Meeting in Brazil in July, I [the Minister for Development] announced the UK would join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty when it launches this month, to increase political support, unlock finance, share and learn, and work with partners to scale-up lasting solutions to tackle hunger and poverty.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the World Food Programme and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations' report on Hunger Hotspots June to October 2024, published in June 2024, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle hunger in the countries included in the report.

The UK is deeply concerned by the findings of the June-October 2024 Hunger Hotspots report. We are the second largest government donor to the World Food Programme (WFP) and to date in 2024 have contributed over $360 million to WFP programmes, including in Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan and Haiti.At the G20 Development Ministers Meeting in Brazil in July, I [the Minister for Development] announced the UK would join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty when it launches this month, to increase political support, unlock finance, share and learn, and work with partners to scale-up lasting solutions to tackle hunger and poverty.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the World Food Programme and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations' report on Hunger Hotspots June to October 2024, published in June 2024, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of the impact of La Niña weather phenomenon; and what assistance he is providing to the countries and territories which are most impacted.

The UK is closely monitoring the potential development of La Niña conditions and in particular the risk of food security impacts in the Horn of Africa and Southern Africa.The UK is a committed humanitarian donor, channelling over £277 million in humanitarian aid to African Countries in 2023 and is already operating humanitarian programmes in those countries of concern highlighted in the Hunger Hotspots report. Those programmes are standing by to adapt as required. On 22 August, I [the Minister for Development] announced an additional £15 million of vital assistance to Sudan, South Sudan and Chad.