Written questions by Morton.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the (a) terms of reference and (b) timeline is for Baroness Shafik's review of international development.

As the Foreign Secretary said in his keynote speech on 9 January, he set in train three reviews upon his appointment, is grateful to Martin Donnelly, to Ngaire Woods and to Minouche Shafik for all their work into the FCDO's role and capabilities, looking particularly at our economic capability in this department, and at our global impact in this department, and our fusion of development and diplomacy as well as our development capability and capacity. The next step will be to consider how best to present the recommendations of all three reviews. In each case we are asking how we can ensure that the tools at our disposal provide maximum benefits to our goals not least UK prosperity and security.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 December 2024 to Question 19309 on Syria: Women, what recent discussions he has had with (a) women's rights activists, (b) women-led organisations and (c) women involved in the political process in Syria.

The Foreign Secretary and I have been engaging intensively with international and regional partners to support an inclusive political transition. The UK signed a joint statement with G7 leaders and another following the Aqaba Joint Contact Group ministerial meeting on Syria affirming that we stand ready to support a transition process that leads to credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance with respect for human rights, including for women and minorities. Support to women and girls will continue to be at the heart of the UK's policy and programmes in Syria, including through active engagement with women's rights activists, women-led organisations and women involved in the political process.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 19311 on Syria: Development Aid, what discussions his Department has had at official level to support the transition process.

Senior officials, including the UK Special Representative for Syria, have been engaging intensively and widely with international and regional partners. Senior Foreign Office officials travelled to Damascus in December to underline the UK's support for the Syrian people and discuss the pathway towards a more hopeful, representative and peaceful future for Syria with the new interim Syrian authorities and civil society. They discussed the importance of an inclusive transitional political process, protecting the rights of all Syrians and preventing further instability.  The UK will continue to stand with the Syrian people in building a more stable, free and prosperous future.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Georgian counterpart since the parliamentary election in that country.

In response to recent events in Georgia, the Foreign Secretary announced on 9 December that the UK would suspend all programme support to the Georgian government, restricted defence cooperation, and limited engagement with representatives of Georgian Dream. On 16 December I spoke to Georgian Dream representative, Foreign Minister Bochorishvili, and on 23 December the Foreign Secretary spoke to the Georgian President, Zourabichvili. Both the Foreign Secretary and I expressed our concerns at the instability we were seeing in Georgia. I was clear that Georgia's negative democratic trajectory, including violence targeting peaceful demonstrators, opposition figures and journalists was unacceptable. On 19 December, the UK implemented sanctions against the Minister and Deputy Minister of Internal affairs and three police officials responsible for these violent actions. We will continue to keep our policies under close review.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of (a) the parliamentary election, (b) the inauguration of a new president and (c) other recent events in Georgia.

In response to recent events in Georgia, the Foreign Secretary announced on 9 December that the UK would suspend all programme support to the Georgian government, restricted defence cooperation, and limited engagement with representatives of Georgian Dream. On 16 December I spoke to Georgian Dream representative, Foreign Minister Bochorishvili, and on 23 December the Foreign Secretary spoke to the Georgian President, Zourabichvili. Both the Foreign Secretary and I expressed our concerns at the instability we were seeing in Georgia. I was clear that Georgia's negative democratic trajectory, including violence targeting peaceful demonstrators, opposition figures and journalists was unacceptable. On 19 December, the UK implemented sanctions against the Minister and Deputy Minister of Internal affairs and three police officials responsible for these violent actions. We will continue to keep our policies under close review.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the provision of weapons to Sudan.

The Foreign Secretary regularly raises the Sudan conflict with his international counterparts, including UK concern over violations of the UN arms embargo. We have regularly condemned, including in the UN Security Council, the flow of external arms into Sudan and urged those who have influence over the parties to use it to bring them to the negotiating table to seek a political resolution to the conflict.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help protect UK nationals in Europe from Dengue.

FCDO Travel Advice provides information to British nationals travelling overseas, including any health risks. Country Travel Advice pages link to the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC)'s Travel Health Pro website [https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries], which offers comprehensive health advice and country-specific advice to travellers on a full range of health issues, including dengue where appropriate. NaTHNaC is commissioned by the UK Health Security Agency to provide travel health advice to the British public. Travel Advice pages are kept under regular review.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what percentage of humanitarian aid spending on Sudan was spent on refugees outside of Sudan in the last 12 months.

100 per cent of our bilateral humanitarian ODA allocation to Sudan is spent in Sudan.Additionally, the UK continues to provide significant support to those fleeing Sudan, most recently with the Foreign Secretary announcing a major aid increase on 17 November to support people affected by the conflict, including in neighbouring countries, such as Chad and South Sudan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications of the recent (a) Georgian parliamentary election and (b) presidential inauguration on UK-Georgia relations.

I made clear on 3 December that Georgia's continued steps away from democratic norms and freedoms will only serve to harm its international reputation, and risk fundamentally damaging relations with Georgia's friends and partners. In response to recent events in Georgia, the Foreign Secretary announced on 9 December that the UK would suspend all programme support to the Georgian government, restricted defence cooperation, and limited engagement with representatives of Georgian Dream. On 19 December the UK, in co-ordination with the USA, implemented sanctions against the Minister and Deputy Minister of Internal affairs and three police officials responsible for violent attacks against journalists and peaceful protestors in Georgia. The UK continues to work closely with NATO, European and American partners to support the Euro-Atlantic will of the Georgian People.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications of the recent (a) Georgian parliamentary election and (b) presidential inauguration on Georgia’s relationship with (i) the EU, (ii) the United States and (iii) NATO.

I made clear on 3 December that Georgia's continued steps away from democratic norms and freedoms will only serve to harm its international reputation, and risk fundamentally damaging relations with Georgia's friends and partners. In response to recent events in Georgia, the Foreign Secretary announced on 9 December that the UK would suspend all programme support to the Georgian government, restricted defence cooperation, and limited engagement with representatives of Georgian Dream. On 19 December the UK, in co-ordination with the USA, implemented sanctions against the Minister and Deputy Minister of Internal affairs and three police officials responsible for violent attacks against journalists and peaceful protestors in Georgia. The UK continues to work closely with NATO, European and American partners to support the Euro-Atlantic will of the Georgian People.

What estimate she has made of the value of Russian state assets in the UK.

The Government coordinates these figures closely with our G7 partners. There are sensitivities around publishing these figures, and other G7 partners have restrictions on their ability to publish. It is important, therefore, that a decision to release any figures is taken on a collective G7 basis.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to identify potential additional routes for humanitarian aid delivery into Sudan since July 2024.

The UK has continued to push for additional aid routes into Sudan, including through Aweil (from South Sudan to Sudan), to facilitate aid deliveries, particularly into areas held by the Rapid Support Forces; and for existing routes in to be free of bureaucratic and administrative impediments. In addition, the UK continues to press for improved cross-line routes, including into Khartoum. We raised the critical importance of increased humanitarian cross-border and cross-line access at open briefings at the UN Security Council on 19 December 2024 and 6 January 2025 and have engaged directly with the new Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, on the UN response. On 25 November 2024, the Foreign Secretary chaired a Sudan meeting with G7 and Arab Quint Foreign Ministers to discuss joint steps to improve humanitarian access, protect civilians, and increase aid.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 December 2024 to Question 16959 on Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance: Finance, what discussions he has had with international partners on supporting (a) Gavi and (b) upcoming global health replenishments; and when those discussions took place.

As Minister for Development, I met with both the CEO of Gavi and the Executive Director of the Global Fund last Autumn to discuss upcoming replenishments. The UK is one of the largest donors to both Gavi and the Global Fund and we want to see successful replenishments for both in 2025. UK funding decisions will be taken as part of the ongoing Spending Review and announced following its completion.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Israeli counterparts on their commitments to ensure aid delivery into Gaza.

The UK has made repeatedly clear to the Israeli authorities the need to improve aid delivery and increase the variety and volume of goods reaching Gaza. The Foreign Secretary made this clear in a call with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 8 December. I have raised the dire situation in northern Gaza with both the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister and the Israeli Ambassador to the UK on several occasions, most recently on 3 January. As I made clear to Parliament on 7 January, the scale of human suffering is unimaginable. We have been clear that this is a man-made crisis and Israel must act immediately to address it.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 December 2024 to Question 19312 on Syria: British Nationals Abroad, what steps is he taking to provide consular support to British nationals in Syria.

Consular support is not available from the UK Government from within Syria as all British Embassy services in Damascus are suspended. This makes it difficult to provide direct assistance to British nationals located there. Nevertheless, each request for consular assistance from Syria is considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all relevant circumstances.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Development of 28 November 2024 on UK Leadership on Sudan, Official Report, column 945, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the Jeddah process; and if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of those discussions for making progress to a sustainable end to the conflict in Gaza.

The Foreign Secretary has discussed the situation in Sudan with both his US and Saudi counterparts this past week. The UK has consistently called upon the warring parties to fully implement the commitments made in the Jeddah Declaration and commit in good faith to mediation talks, including through the UN Security Council resolution we co-penned with Sierra Leone, which was cynically vetoed by Russia in November. We will continue to pursue all diplomatic avenues, including as UN Security Council penholder on Sudan, to maintain collective pressure on both sides to protect civilians, allow unrestricted humanitarian access, and commit to a sustained and meaningful peace process.On the conflict in Gaza, this government has been clear; we are committed to pursuing a lasting solution to the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict, including through achieving a two-state solution. We continue to support efforts to this end through our aid programmes, which assist civil society in Israel and Palestine on a range of issues, including peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with international partners to facilitate mediation between parties to reduce conflict in the Middle East.

The UK works closely with regional and international partners to reduce conflict in the Middle East. The UK is at the forefront of the response to fast moving events in Syria, engaging regularly with international partners to support a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process leading to an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government and reduced conflict. The UK supports political efforts to achieve a lasting solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. The Foreign Secretary met Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar in Israel on 13 January, and stressed to him the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire with all restrictions on aid to Gaza lifted. In Lebanon, UK support to the Lebanese Armed Forces underpins the ceasefire conditions agreed in November 2024 and seeks to implement UNSCR 1701. In Yemen, the UK supports the UN Special Envoy's office work on dialogue and mediation. With Qatar, the UK will host a forum to exchange conflict resolution and mediation expertise to further our joint commitment to peace in the Middle East.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies on Syria of the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government.

After decades of atrocities committed by the Assad regime, we stand with the people of Syria. The UK has been at the forefront of the response to fast moving events, engaging regularly with regional, UN and international partners, calling for a Syrian-owned political transition process leading to an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government. We have scaled up our humanitarian response, announcing a further £61 million to support vulnerable Syrians inside Syria and refugees across the region. We continue to monitor the situation closely.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions on (a) effective deconfliction and (b) the humanitarian situation in Gaza with his Israeli counterpart.

We continue to press Israel to end its aid restrictions and ensure that the UN and humanitarian partners can work safely and effectively. The Foreign Secretary recently wrote to Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar, alongside his French and German counterparts, calling on Israel urgently to increase, and ensure the safe distribution of, aid.The Foreign Secretary made his third visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories this week, where he restated that Israel must avoid civilian casualties, protect civilian infrastructure, allow unfettered aid into Gaza, and ensure the UN and its humanitarian partners can operate effectively.I have raised the dire situation in the north of Gaza with both the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister and the Israeli Ambassador to the UK, most recently on 3 January.The scale of human suffering in Gaza is unimaginable. Israel must act to address it immediately. Effective deconfliction is an important part of this.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 19314 on Belarus: Sanctions, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of sanction avoidance by Belarus in banking and financial services (a) imports and (b) exports. .

The Government is committed to working with partners to hold the Lukashenko regime to account for its lack of respect for human rights and support for Putin's illegal war. That includes ensuring our sanctions are as effective as possible. That is why we have legislated to strengthen our sanctions enforcement powers, with the formal launch of the new Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation, and launched a cross-Government review of sanctions enforcement to ensure we have the right powers, approach and resourcing. We are also coordinating closely with G7 partners on our efforts to tackle circumvention risks across priority countries, ranging from technical support to diplomatic engagement at all levels.