Written questions by Rosindell.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support British Overseas Territories to improve their disaster (a) preparedness and (b) response capabilities in the context of trends in the number of natural disasters.

The UK continues to support UK Overseas Territories to develop preparedness, capability, and capacity to respond to disasters effectively.This Financial Year, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has funded crisis leadership and technical skills training for disaster management stakeholders across the Overseas Territories. The FCDO has also supported efforts to improve emergency shelter capacity and standards, grow emergency communications resilience, and understand future threats linked to climate change.I visited the emergency response centre in Anguilla on my recent visit and have regularly discussed these issues with Overseas Territories leaders, representatives, and Governors, including at the Joint Ministerial Council.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Canadian counterpart on the potential impact of interprovincial trade barriers on UK-Canada trade relations.

The Foreign Secretary speaks regularly with Canadian Foreign Minister Joly, most recently in late February, where they discussed a range of bilateral and global issues. They also spoke on 28 January 2025. I met my counterpart Rob Oliphant last week. Canada is one of our closest allies, underpinned by a broad trade and investment relationship which we are committed to deepening further. The Foreign Secretary has not discussed interprovincial trade with his counterpart.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of recent changes in Canada's border security measures for UK citizens traveling to Canada.

We have taken note of Canada's new border policies, which include expanded surveillance, heightened screening, and enhanced tools to detect fraud. We will continue to monitor any impact on British travellers.UK citizens travelling to Canada should ensure they have an Electronic Travel Authorisation or visa as required, and they should ensure their passport is valid for the length of their stay. They should also consult FCDO Travel Advice, which is kept up to date with the latest requirements.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has held recent discussions with his Turkish counterpart on the ongoing legal proceedings against Ekrem İmamoğlu.

The Government looks to Turkey, as a modern democracy and a fellow member of the Council of Europe, to undertake any legal processes fairly, transparently and with full respect for the rule of law. The Government regularly raises human rights and rule of law issues with Turkey. Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has met his counterparts in Jamaica since taking office.

The Foreign Secretary spoke to Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith, on 2 August 2024. They discussed the importance of the UK-Jamaica bilateral relationship and climate issues including Hurricane Beryl. They later had a bilateral meeting in the margins of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia in October 2024. The Minister for Latin America and the Caribbean visited Jamaica 14-16 October 2024, with a focus on collaboration around growth, climate resilience and development. The Minister for Latin America and the Caribbean also met the Jamaican Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Aubyn Hill, on 4 November 2024 to discuss opportunities for closer collaboration between the UK and Jamaica on trade and business.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps with regional partners to help prevent illegal gold mining operations in (a) Honduras and (b) Guatemala.

The UK recognises the importance of combatting illicit and uncontrolled gold mining to prevent the negative impact it has on biodiversity and people, including in both Honduras and Guatemala. We regularly raise this issue with host governments in the region, working in conjunction with other international partners to help mitigate the impact of illegal gold mining.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has met with the High Commissioner of Guyana since taking office.

The Foreign Secretary hosted President Ali of Guyana and his delegation, which included Guyana's High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Rajendra Singh, for lunch at 1 Carlton Gardens on 27 September 2024. They discussed a number of issues: climate, biodiversity, the situation in Haiti and the Essequibo border controversy.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is collaborating with international partners to support Guyana's territorial integrity.

Our support for Guyana's territorial integrity is unwavering and we are clear that the border was settled in 1899 through international arbitration. The Foreign Secretary underlined our support for Guyana's territorial integrity in a call with President Ali in July 2024 and has reiterated this in subsequent engagements. The UK will continue to work with our international partners, including through the Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana, to de-escalate tensions and ensure respect for Guyana's territorial integrity. We are pleased that the Leaders' Statement following the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting 2024 underlined the Commonwealth's unswerving support for Guyana's territorial integrity.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential implications for its policies of Jamaica's legislative steps to remove His Majesty King Charles III as head of state.

It is for all Realms to consider their own constitutional arrangements. We are confident in our relationship with our Jamaican partners, and we will respect any decisions they make. The UK also looks forward to continuing a modern partnership with all Commonwealth partners regardless of their status as a Realm or republic.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help (a) support economic (i) development and (i) diversification and (b) reduce reliance on financial services in British Overseas Territories.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) promotes economic development in Official Development Assistance-eligible territories primarily through budget support and essential capital programmes. These amounted to £100.53million in Financial Year 24/25 and, with advisory input, enables the development of diversified private sector economies.While non-aided Overseas Territories (OTs) are responsible for their own public finance decisions and economic policy, the FCDO provides technical assistance and project funding to improve diversification. This has included, but is not limited to, funding a financial adviser, contributing to the airport redevelopment in Anguilla and providing infrastructure expertise available to all OTs. The FCDO continues to engage with the OTs on matters related to diversification.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his US counterpart on the (a) proposed designation of Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organisations and (b) the potential impact of that proposal on UK-Mexico relations.

The Foreign Secretary is in regular contact with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They have not discussed the US's designation of cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organisations. This is a decision for the US. It is unlikely to have any significant impact on our bilateral relationship with Mexico.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has met with officials from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy since 4 July 2024.

The Foreign Secretary has not met with officials from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) since 4 July 2024, however the previous Minister of State for Development (Anneliese Dodds MP) met recently in February this year with the Chair, Yasmin Qureshi MP, and CEO, Anthony Smith of WFD. Senior Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) officials meet with WFD on a regular basis.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department's China audit will consider (a) Chinese debt relief for low income countries and (b) China's belt and road initiative.

The China Audit will improve the UK's ability - both inside and outside of government - to understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities China poses. The Audit will consider the UK's economic and security interests at home and overseas, and how those interests are impacted by China. The Government is determined to pursue a consistent, long term and strategic approach to managing the UK's relations with China.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has met with pro-democracy campaigners in Iran since 4 July 2024.

The Foreign Secretary has not visited Iran. The Islamic Republic's human rights record is unacceptable. The UK helped deliver a resolution on the human rights situation in Iran at the UN Third Committee in November 2024. In January, the Foreign Secretary raised human rights directly with his Iranian counterpart. We will continue to raise rights issues directly with the regime, including through our Ambassador in Tehran.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his New Zealand counterpart on the signed strategic agreement between the People’s Republic of China and the Cook Islands.

My officials in Wellington and London have been in close contact with New Zealand officials to discuss the signed strategic agreement between the People's Republic of China and the Cook Islands.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2025 to Question 23270 on Denmark: Politics and Government, whether the territorial integrity of Greenland was discussed in these meetings.

As the Foreign Secretary and I have repeatedly and publicly made clear, Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and the future of their constitutional arrangements is a matter for the people and government of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials and I have reaffirmed this position in engagements with Danish and Greenlandic counterparts since January.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has plans to send officials to monitor the upcoming Albanian parliamentary election.

UK officials, including staff from our Embassy in Tirana, are working with international partners on monitoring plans ahead of May's Parliamentary elections in Albania, and the UK will be contributing monitors to join the scheduled Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) International Monitoring Mission.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has considered establishing formal mechanisms for dialogue between the British Overseas Territories and the external territories of (a) Australia and (b) New Zealand.

The Territories have not recently to our knowledge requested enhanced co-operation with Australia, New Zealand, or their external territories. The UK, Australia, and New Zealand liaise on topics of mutual interest including recent developments in the external territories and the conservation of Antarctic marine life. The UK remains open to considering requests to facilitate dialogues between the UK Overseas Territories and other territories.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with representatives of the British Overseas Territories on enhancing cooperation with the external territories of (a) Australia and (b) New Zealand.

The Territories have not recently to our knowledge requested enhanced co-operation with Australia, New Zealand, or their external territories. The UK, Australia, and New Zealand liaise on topics of mutual interest including recent developments in the external territories and the conservation of Antarctic marine life. The UK remains open to considering requests to facilitate dialogues between the UK Overseas Territories and other territories.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to facilitate (a) environmental and (b) conservation cooperation between the British Overseas Territories and the external territories of (i) Australia and (ii) New Zealand.

The Territories have not recently to our knowledge requested enhanced co-operation with Australia, New Zealand, or their external territories. The UK, Australia, and New Zealand liaise on topics of mutual interest including recent developments in the external territories and the conservation of Antarctic marine life. The UK remains open to considering requests to facilitate dialogues between the UK Overseas Territories and other territories.