Written questions by Morton.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Department is taking with international partners to support a peaceful and democratic transition in Venezuela.

I thank the Rt Hon Member for her series of questions on the situation in Venezuela. For the most recent statement of the UK's position, I refer the Rt Hon Member to the Foreign Secretary's statement on 5 January, and her responses in the subsequent debate. We will keep the House updated on developments in the normal way in due course.Specifically on the issue of Guyana's sovereignty, I refer her to the answer provided on 12 January in response to Question 103713; on the issue of sanctions, I remind her that it has been the long-standing position under successive governments not to discuss potential designations, as to do so would undermine their effectiveness; and on the issue of drug-trafficking, I refer the Rt Hon Member to the responses provided in the Urgent Question debate on 3 December.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to introduce additional targeted sanctions on individuals associated with the Maduro regime.

I thank the Rt Hon Member for her series of questions on the situation in Venezuela. For the most recent statement of the UK's position, I refer the Rt Hon Member to the Foreign Secretary's statement on 5 January, and her responses in the subsequent debate. We will keep the House updated on developments in the normal way in due course.Specifically on the issue of Guyana's sovereignty, I refer her to the answer provided on 12 January in response to Question 103713; on the issue of sanctions, I remind her that it has been the long-standing position under successive governments not to discuss potential designations, as to do so would undermine their effectiveness; and on the issue of drug-trafficking, I refer the Rt Hon Member to the responses provided in the Urgent Question debate on 3 December.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps are being taken to disrupt drug flows originating from Venezuela into the UK.

I thank the Rt Hon Member for her series of questions on the situation in Venezuela. For the most recent statement of the UK's position, I refer the Rt Hon Member to the Foreign Secretary's statement on 5 January, and her responses in the subsequent debate. We will keep the House updated on developments in the normal way in due course.Specifically on the issue of Guyana's sovereignty, I refer her to the answer provided on 12 January in response to Question 103713; on the issue of sanctions, I remind her that it has been the long-standing position under successive governments not to discuss potential designations, as to do so would undermine their effectiveness; and on the issue of drug-trafficking, I refer the Rt Hon Member to the responses provided in the Urgent Question debate on 3 December.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps her Department has taken to support efforts to restore democratic institutions in Venezuela.

I thank the Rt Hon Member for her series of questions on the situation in Venezuela. For the most recent statement of the UK's position, I refer the Rt Hon Member to the Foreign Secretary's statement on 5 January, and her responses in the subsequent debate. We will keep the House updated on developments in the normal way in due course.Specifically on the issue of Guyana's sovereignty, I refer her to the answer provided on 12 January in response to Question 103713; on the issue of sanctions, I remind her that it has been the long-standing position under successive governments not to discuss potential designations, as to do so would undermine their effectiveness; and on the issue of drug-trafficking, I refer the Rt Hon Member to the responses provided in the Urgent Question debate on 3 December.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of levels of authoritarian state support for the Maduro regime on the rules-based international order.

I thank the Rt Hon Member for her series of questions on the situation in Venezuela. For the most recent statement of the UK's position, I refer the Rt Hon Member to the Foreign Secretary's statement on 5 January, and her responses in the subsequent debate. We will keep the House updated on developments in the normal way in due course.Specifically on the issue of Guyana's sovereignty, I refer her to the answer provided on 12 January in response to Question 103713; on the issue of sanctions, I remind her that it has been the long-standing position under successive governments not to discuss potential designations, as to do so would undermine their effectiveness; and on the issue of drug-trafficking, I refer the Rt Hon Member to the responses provided in the Urgent Question debate on 3 December.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential for escalation arising from recent Venezuelan actions towards Guyana.

I thank the Rt Hon Member for her series of questions on the situation in Venezuela. For the most recent statement of the UK's position, I refer the Rt Hon Member to the Foreign Secretary's statement on 5 January, and her responses in the subsequent debate. We will keep the House updated on developments in the normal way in due course.Specifically on the issue of Guyana's sovereignty, I refer her to the answer provided on 12 January in response to Question 103713; on the issue of sanctions, I remind her that it has been the long-standing position under successive governments not to discuss potential designations, as to do so would undermine their effectiveness; and on the issue of drug-trafficking, I refer the Rt Hon Member to the responses provided in the Urgent Question debate on 3 December.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what work her Department is undertaking with the Home Office and INTERPOL to tackle criminal networks linked to the Venezuelan regime.

I thank the Rt Hon Member for her series of questions on the situation in Venezuela. For the most recent statement of the UK's position, I refer the Rt Hon Member to the Foreign Secretary's statement on 5 January, and her responses in the subsequent debate. We will keep the House updated on developments in the normal way in due course.Specifically on the issue of Guyana's sovereignty, I refer her to the answer provided on 12 January in response to Question 103713; on the issue of sanctions, I remind her that it has been the long-standing position under successive governments not to discuss potential designations, as to do so would undermine their effectiveness; and on the issue of drug-trafficking, I refer the Rt Hon Member to the responses provided in the Urgent Question debate on 3 December.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Security and Defence Partnership outlined in HCWS1114 on 1 December 2025, how the Government intends to ensure that cooperation on tackling hybrid threats, supporting Ukraine, and promoting stability in the Western Balkans will be maintained and strengthened without a bilateral SAFE agreement.

The matters raised by the Rt Hon Member are primarily for the Cabinet Office who were responsible for the written statement to which her questions refer, and the Ministry of Defence who are the responsible department for defence industrial matters.We however continue to deepen and strengthen our cooperation with the EU on a range of related matters - including in tackling hybrid threats - via our new Security and Defence Partnership. Our relationships through NATO of course remain the bedrock of our security and defence.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of democratic situation in Georgia.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 July 2025 to Question 66922, and I can confirm that in December 2024, the UK suspended all programme support to the Georgian government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to HCWS1114 on 1 December 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of limiting UK defence industrial content to 35 per cent of SAFE-funded projects on (a) sovereign capability, (b) export competitiveness and (c) supply-chain resilience across the UK defence sector.

The matters raised by the Rt Hon Member are primarily for the Cabinet Office who were responsible for the written statement to which her questions refer, and the Ministry of Defence who are the responsible department for defence industrial matters.We however continue to deepen and strengthen our cooperation with the EU on a range of related matters - including in tackling hybrid threats - via our new Security and Defence Partnership. Our relationships through NATO of course remain the bedrock of our security and defence.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Written Statement of 1 December 2025 on UK–EU Relations, HCWS1114, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for UK national security of not reaching agreement on enhanced UK participation in the SAFE instrument; and what steps her Department is taking to help mitigate capability and interoperability gaps with EU partners.

The matters raised by the Rt Hon Member are primarily for the Cabinet Office who were responsible for the written statement to which her questions refer, and the Ministry of Defence who are the responsible department for defence industrial matters.We however continue to deepen and strengthen our cooperation with the EU on a range of related matters - including in tackling hybrid threats - via our new Security and Defence Partnership. Our relationships through NATO of course remain the bedrock of our security and defence.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much funding her Department (a) has provided to support democratic governance in Georgia in each of the last three financial years, and (b) plans to spend in the financial year 2026/27.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 July 2025 to Question 66922, and I can confirm that in December 2024, the UK suspended all programme support to the Georgian government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with NATO allies on ensuring that UK–EU defence cooperation, including through the Security and Defence Partnership referenced in HCWS1114 on 1 December 2025, complements NATO planning, procurement and capability development.

The matters raised by the Rt Hon Member are primarily for the Cabinet Office who were responsible for the written statement to which her questions refer, and the Ministry of Defence who are the responsible department for defence industrial matters.We however continue to deepen and strengthen our cooperation with the EU on a range of related matters - including in tackling hybrid threats - via our new Security and Defence Partnership. Our relationships through NATO of course remain the bedrock of our security and defence.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to prevent sanctions evasion by Russia through third countries, including through shadow fleet vessels and international financial networks.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement on Ukraine made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 15 October, where she set out in detail the UK's approach on these issues. We will provide further updates to the House in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 15 of the six-monthly update on the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong, published on 23 October 2025, what diplomatic steps she is taking to help ensure that China adheres to its international legal commitments.

The Government raises areas of concern with the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities on a regular basis at both official and ministerial level. Most recently, the Foreign Secretary did so in a phone call with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on 6 November.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure continued alignment between UK and key allies on sanctions against Russia, including in relation to defence procurement networks, Russia’s shadow fleet and sanctions evasion through third countries.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement on Ukraine made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 15 October, where she set out in detail the UK's approach on these issues. We will provide further updates to the House in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for UK and EU sanctions policy on Russia of the October 2025 US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement on Ukraine made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 15 October, where she set out in detail the UK's approach on these issues. We will provide further updates to the House in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how sanctions against Russia applied under UK human rights, chemical weapons, cyber and hybrid threat regimes complement the UK’s broader Russia sanctions framework.

Extensive guidance on all aspects of the UK's sanctions regime against Russia can be found on GOV.UK at the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-sanctions-on-russia.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the effectiveness of the Oil Price Cap in limiting Russian energy revenues.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement on Ukraine made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 15 October, where she set out in detail the UK's approach on these issues. We will provide further updates to the House in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure British International Investment’s investments (a) are in addition to private sector finance and (b) reach low-income and marginalised groups.

As part of British International Investment's (BII's) Impact Framework, all transactions are assessed for their additionality, to ensure BII is not displacing the private sector. BII is also a leader amongst Development Finance Institutions in investing in the riskiest places with the highest development needs, making £880 million of new commitments in the poorest and most fragile countries in 2024 alone. Full details of BII's Impact Framework can be found on its website here: https://www.bii.co.uk/en/our-impact/