Written questions by Jones.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Pakistani counterpart on reversing anti-blasphemy legislation.

Pakistan is a FCDO human rights priority country. We work to protect and promote human rights in Pakistan through our diplomatic engagement and programme funding. This includes regularly raising concerns about the misuse of blasphemy laws, both in principle and in relation to specific cases. I underlined the importance of promoting religious tolerance and harmony with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister Azam Tarar on 4 September.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his assessment he has made of the adequacy of the international community's response to (a) attacks on and (b) threats against (i) Shia Muslims, (ii) Christians, (iii) Ahmadis, (iv) Hindus, (v) Sikhs and (vi) other religious minorities in Pakistan.

The UK strongly condemns all instances of hate or violence directed towards minority religious communities in Pakistan, including Shia Muslims, Ahmadis, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs. We work alongside the wider international community, including foreign governments and civil society organisations, to promote human rights in partnership with Pakistan. I underlined the importance of promoting religious tolerance and harmony when I met with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Azam Tarar, on 4 September. Alongside our diplomatic engagement, we continue to support projects promoting the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan, including facilitating interfaith dialogue and protecting marginalised communities from online hate speech.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary's meeting with Pakistani Human Rights Minister on 4 September 2024 on violations of freedom of religion or belief in that country; and when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary next plans to meet (a) that Minister and (b) his Pakistani counterpart.

I underlined the importance of promoting religious tolerance and harmony in a productive conversation with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Azam Tarar, on 4 September. I regularly meet with my counterparts in the Pakistani Government, including the Human Rights and Law Minister, Interior Minister and Foreign Minister. On 28 October, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan raised concerns around threats of violence directed towards Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan with the Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif. We will continue raise freedom of religion or belief in future engagements with the Government of Pakistan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the recent arrest warrant issued against former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina; and whether he has had discussions with his Indian counterpart on the former Prime Minister’s continued presence in India, in the context of the bilateral extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India.

The UK is supporting Bangladesh's Interim Government as it works to restore stability and create a pathway to an inclusive democratic future. We note the arrest warrant issued by Bangladesh; discussions between the Interim Government and India about this are a bilateral matter between them. Any investigation is a matter for the relevant authorities in Bangladesh. The UK and international partners continue to push for progress towards accountability and justice including supporting an impartial and independent fact-finding mission by the United Nations. In August, I spoke to my Indian counterpart and discussed the need for de-escalation of violence in Bangladesh.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of recent reports of the destruction of Ahmadiyya Muslim places of worship in the Punjab region of Pakistan.

We are aware of reports of the desecration of Ahmadi mosques and graves in Pakistan. The UK strongly condemns all instances of hate or violence directed towards Ahmadiyya Muslims and other marginalised religious communities in Pakistan. I underlined the importance of promoting religious tolerance and harmony when I met with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister Azam Tarar on 4 September. Officials at BHC Islamabad regularly raise our concerns surrounding the mistreatment of minorities with the Pakistani authorities, including law enforcement officials. We continue to support projects promoting the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan, including facilitating interfaith dialogue and protecting marginalised communities from hate speech online.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the implications for his policies of the situation of (a) the Buddhist community and (b) other religious minorities in Myanmar; and what discussions he has had with his Laotian counterpart on ASEAN's efforts to tackle the (i) violence and (ii) humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.

The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all. We are aware of the continued vulnerability of religious minorities in Myanmar, and we condemn identify-based violence on any ground. The UK continues to raise our concerns about ethnic and religious discrimination in multilateral fora, notably the UN. We continue to co-fund the UN's Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar and the Myanmar Witness programme, which collect evidence of human rights violations, including identity-based violence. As a Dialogue-Partner the UK continues to support ASEAN's regional leadership on the crisis in Myanmar, including the efforts of Laotian Chair and Special Envoy H.E Alounkeo Kittikhoun. In July, the Foreign Secretary attended the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Vientiane and met Laos' Minister of Foreign Affairs, Saleumxay Kommasith, where they discussed the crisis in Myanmar.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2024 to Question 3584 on Foie Gras: Imports, whether he plans to publish a consultation on a potential ban on the import of foie gras.

The Government shares the British public's high regard for animal welfare and has made clear that the production of foie gras from ducks or geese using force feeding raises serious welfare concerns.The Government looks forward to delivering the most ambitious programme for animal welfare in a generation.Ministers are reviewing policies and any next steps will be announced in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps to secure the release of religious minorities accused of conversion activities in India.

The UK continues to champion 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 British High Commission in New Delhi consistently monitors human rights, including the use of anti-conversion laws across India. However, the UK Government has a broad and deep partnership with the Government of India, and we discuss all elements of our relationship, including human rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief, and raise issues where we have them.

What steps his Department is taking to support independent community pharmacies.

As identified by Lord Darzi’s review, primary care is under pressure and in crisis.The previous government did not conclude the consultation on the funding and contractual arrangements for community pharmacy in England. However, I am looking at this as a matter of urgency.This Government is committed to better utilising the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and developing an independent pharmacy prescribing service

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in Uganda on (a) the proposed national religious and faith organizations policy 2023 and (b) the potential impact of that policy on religious freedom.

The UK is committed to freedom of religion or belief for all. Through our High Commission in Kampala, we maintain a regular dialogue with religious institutions and those working to promote freedom of religion and belief. The Ugandan Constitution enshrines the 'freedom to practise any religion', providing for freedom of belief, the right to practice and promote any religion, and the right to belong to and participate in the practices of any religious organisation in a manner consistent with the constitution. We will continue to raise any issues directly with the Ugandan Government and other interlocutors.

Whether he is taking steps to prevent trail hunting on land owned or managed by his Department.

The Department is currently reviewing its position on trail hunting that takes place on the Defence Estate. I would like to stress that no licences to trail hunt on Ministry of Defence land have been granted for the 2024-25 hunting season, whilst I work with colleagues across Government to ensure any decision is understanding of rural communities, and animal welfare.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the enforcement of the (a) Welfare of Animals at Time Of Killing (England) Regulations 2015 and (b) Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 by local authorities; and whether he plans to take steps to help improve enforcement the enforcement of those regulations.

The Post Implementation Review to the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015 published in Jan 2021 addressed the roles of the Food Standards Agency, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and local authorities in enforcement of the regulations. No such assessment has been made of the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order. Defra regularly engages with local authorities, APHA and other interested parties to discuss the enforcement of animal welfare regulations.

Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance his Department issues on the application of the Welfare of Animals at Time Of Killing (England) Regulations 2015 to (a) commercial fishing operations and (b) other activities to which the Animal Welfare Act 2006 does not apply.

Commercial fishing activities are not covered by the relevant welfare at killing legislation unless animals are kept alive for processing later. In these circumstances fish and invertebrates shall be spared any avoidable pain, distress or suffering during their killing and related operations. Defra has not issued guidance on these issues. Following publication of the Animal Welfare Committee’s updated Opinion on the welfare of farmed fish at the time of killing, a GB-wide farmed trout joint government and industry working group is examining the issues raised in the report to explore potential options for more detailed welfare at killing requirements. The Scottish Government is similarly working closely with the salmon industry.