Every parliamentary written question tabled by Alex Sobel this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 34 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her polices of the governance framework for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector established under the administra
We continue to raise with Shell, including at Ministerial level, the importance of action to address the risks of pollution from oil production in the Niger Delta, in line with international standards. The regulation of companies within Nigeria and the go...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with Shell plc regarding environmental standards to uphold upon its return to onshore operations in the Niger Delta; and whether the G
We continue to raise with Shell, including at Ministerial level, the importance of action to address the risks of pollution from oil production in the Niger Delta, in line with international standards. The regulation of companies within Nigeria and the go...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the strategic importance of the Gulf of Guinea oil and gas sector to UK energy security; and whether she plans to increase engagement with Nig
We continue to raise with Shell, including at Ministerial level, the importance of action to address the risks of pollution from oil production in the Niger Delta, in line with international standards. The regulation of companies within Nigeria and the go...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the eligibility criteria and membership structure of the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) under the Humanitarian Respo
The Rapid Response Facility has not been used since 2019 and there are no plans to revive its use. Alternative mechanisms, such as the Start Fund have provided a more efficient route for providing funding to NGOs, and currently has a membership of 145 NGO...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department taking to support the inclusion of Syrian youth and women in post-conflict reconstruction and decision-making processes, including funding for locally-led initiatives and civic empowerment programmes.
The UK regularly engages with the Syrian Government to press for an inclusive political transition that protects the rights of all Syrians, including women and young people. This was raised directly with President Al Sharaa during his visit to London on 31 March.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact for her policies of reports of the killing of five West Papuan civilians by Indonesian police in Dogiyai Regency; and what diplomatic steps she is taking to ensure that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is allowed to report from West Papua.
We are concerned about the recent increase in violence in Papua, including the fatalities in Dogiyai Regency. I visited Indonesia in February and underlined the importance the UK attaches to human rights and raised Papua directly with the Vice Foreign Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno. The UK supports a visit to Papua by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. We hope a date for a visit can be agreed soon and we have raised this via the UK Mission to the UN in Geneva.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the UK will sign the Council of Europe memorandum to the Special Tribunal on Crimes of Aggression Against Ukraine.
The UK is a strong and consistent supporter of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, which will hold to account those senior political and military leaders responsible for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The UK has been active in negotiations alongside Ukraine and international partners to ensure the Tribunal is both politically and financially sustainable. The UK welcomes the conclusion of negotiations on the Enlarged Partial Agreement (EPA), which outlines the Tribunal's operating model. Once EPA adoption plans are finalised, an update will be given on the UK's position and the operational arrangements for the Tribunal prior to formal adoption.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will consider the potential merits of adding Iraq to the list of countries where British nationals can register their presence with her Department.
The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority, and on that basis, we continue to recommend against all travel to all regions of Iraq. We keep our travel advice and our response to the current crisis under constant review, but there are no plans to launch the Register My Presence service for Iraq at this time.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has reviewed the UN Secretary-General’s report to the Security Council noting the construction by Morocco of a second additional crossing from occupied Western Sahara into Mauritania.
The UK Government consistently urges all states to uphold international law, and we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process led by the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General Mr Staffan de Mistura in support of finding a just, lasting, and mutually agreed resolution to the Western Sahara dispute. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office closely reviews the UN Secretary General's reports on the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has reviewed the UN Secretary-General’s report to the Security Council noting Morocco’s requirement that MINURSO use Moroccan vehicle number plates west of the berm.
The UK Government consistently urges all states to uphold international law, and we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process led by the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General Mr Staffan de Mistura in support of finding a just, lasting, and mutually agreed resolution to the Western Sahara dispute. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office closely reviews the UN Secretary General's reports on the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what her planned timetable is for introducing a ban on the provision of UK based maritime services that enable the transport and export of Russian liquefied natural gas; and when she expects such a ban to enter into force.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 5 February 2026 to Question 109565.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of implementing a service standard for decisions on Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate applications.
Most Academic Technology Approval Scheme applications are straightforward and 98 per cent of applications during the past year were processed within 30 working days. No new service standard is therefore considered necessary at this time.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations her Department has made to the Indonesian government on upholding free, prior and informed consent for Indigenous communities affected by National Strategic Projects.
The UK Government is aware of the ongoing implementation of National Strategic Projects across Indonesia. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office senior officials have raised the importance of free, prior and informed consent (FPCI) for Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLCs) with senior Indonesian parliamentarians and Government of Indonesia officials, most recently in August 2025.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to help ensure that UK companies operating in West Papua respect the rights of Indigenous peoples and prevent adverse environmental or human rights impacts, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
The UK Government takes seriously any concerns about environmental and human rights impacts linked to British businesses operating abroad. We regularly engage with both the Government of Indonesia and UK companies to promote responsible business conduct and uphold international standards.The UK is a signatory to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, which promote responsible business conduct globally. Our National Contact Point allows individuals and organisations to raise concerns about UK-linked corporate behaviour overseas.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the National Security Adviser discussed media freedoms in his recent meeting with President Vučić.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 20 October to Question 81835.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the United Nation Secretary-General’s report to the Security Council entitled Situation concerning Western Sahara, published on 30 September 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of that report; and if she will raise this matter at the Security Council.
The UK Government consistently urges all states to uphold international law, and we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process led by the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General Mr Staffan de Mistura in support of finding a just, lasting, and mutually agreed resolution to the Western Sahara dispute. The UK shares a bilateral Human Rights Dialogue with Morocco, the third session of which is due to take place in London by the end of the year and will cover a range of topics.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of supporting the call for the renewal of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara mandate.
The UK has consistently voted for UN Security Council Resolutions that renew the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, including the latest Resolution adopted by the UN Security Council on 30 October 2025.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he had discussions with his Moroccan counterpart during the formulation of the UK-Morocco Joint Communiqué on whether Morocco’s willingness to engage in discussions in good faith extends to dialogue without restrictions.
On 1 June, the Foreign Secretary co-chaired the 5th session of the UK-Morocco Strategic Dialogue in Rabat with Minister Nasser Bourita. Discussions were wide-ranging and constructive, reflecting the strong bilateral relationship and shared commitment to a strengthened strategic partnership.The Foreign Secretary endorsed Morocco's autonomy proposal as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution of the Western Sahara conflict. In that context, we continue to support the UN-led process to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution, based on compromise, which conforms with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including the principle of respect for self-determination.The Joint Communique expresses our shared conviction to renew efforts to support the UN Personal Envoy of the Secretary General for Western Sahara in the search for a solution to the Western Sahara conflict, underlining that the only viable and durable solution will be one that is mutually acceptable to the relevant parties, and is arrived at through compromise. We welcome Morocco's stated commitment to further detail and willingness to engage in good faith with all relevant parties, to expand on details of what autonomy within the Moroccan State could entail for the region, with a view to restarting serious negotiations on terms acceptable to the parties.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) technical and (b) financial support he is providing to Ukraine to help (i) identify and (ii) document casualties of the war in that country.
We condemn Russia's barbaric assault against Ukraine's civilian population. From 24 February 2022 to 30 April 2025, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights recorded 45,001 civilian casualties in Ukraine: 13,134 killed and 31,867 injured. April was the deadliest month for civilians since September 2024. The actual figures are believed to be considerably higher given the challenges of receiving accurate information from locations under Russian control.Since 2014, The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) (through the Human Rights Monitoring Mechanism on Ukraine (HRMMU)) has maintained a comprehensive record of conflict-related civilian casualties in Ukraine, with data disaggregated by sex, age, place of incident, and type of incident or weapon involved. The UK has provided support to the HRMMU and, overall, we are among the top 10 donors to OHCHR.We are working closely with our humanitarian partners in Ukraine to protect the most vulnerable and prevent the worst impacts of the conflict on people. This includes support to the Red Cross Movement who help identify bodies and exchange mortal remains of casualties of war in Ukraine.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2025 to Question 27839 on Western Sahara: Politics and Government, whether he supports a referendum on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara.
The UK supports UN-led efforts to reach a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, based on compromise, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. The UK also supports the work of Staffan de Mistura, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara. Officials regularly discuss Western Sahara with international partners, the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara and civil societies. We will continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process.