Written questions by Rosindell.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what role the Governor of Montserrat plays in reviewing or advising on significant infrastructure and economic development proposals submitted to the Government of Montserrat.

The UK is committed to meeting the reasonable assistance needs of Montserrat. Much of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funding allocated to Montserrat is used to support major infrastructure projects and economic development, such as the construction of a new hospital, a new air traffic control tower, and supporting green energy transition including geothermal testing. The FCDO work in partnership with Government of Montserrat (GoM) and the Governor's Office to ensure all proposals are assessed in accordance with FCDO and GoM rules and procedures.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the answer of 31 May 2023 to question 186054, whether she is continuing funding for retro-fitting ferries in Anguilla with battery powered engines.

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK and Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council 2025: communiqué published November 2025, if she will list UK support to Anguilla following the JMC.

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what long-term funding mechanisms is she considering to support Anguilla’s the resilience of infrastructure against hurricanes.

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has contingency plans for RAF ships to provide support to Anguilla in the case of natural disasters.

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential economic and energy security benefits to Montserrat of proposals submitted to the Government of Montserrat on the development of a data centre incorporating geothermal energy resources; and what role her Department has played in reviewing or supporting such proposals.

The UK is committed to meeting the reasonable assistance needs of Montserrat. Much of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funding allocated to Montserrat is used to support major infrastructure projects and economic development, such as the construction of a new hospital, a new air traffic control tower, and supporting green energy transition including geothermal testing. The FCDO work in partnership with Government of Montserrat (GoM) and the Governor's Office to ensure all proposals are assessed in accordance with FCDO and GoM rules and procedures.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Sovereign Wealth Fund being established in Anguilla on the UK economy.

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for devolved matters. UK Government officials including in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office play an ongoing role supporting our Overseas Territories to pursue sustainable economic and fiscal strategies.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential economic, educational and research benefits of establishing a bio-science laboratory in Montserrat; and whether UK officials have had discussions with the Government of Montserrat regarding proposals for such a facility.

The UK is committed to meeting the reasonable assistance needs of Montserrat. Much of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funding allocated to Montserrat is used to support major infrastructure projects and economic development, such as the construction of a new hospital, a new air traffic control tower, and supporting green energy transition including geothermal testing. The FCDO work in partnership with Government of Montserrat (GoM) and the Governor's Office to ensure all proposals are assessed in accordance with FCDO and GoM rules and procedures.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the UK Government is taking to support scientific research and laboratory infrastructure in Montserrat as part of its wider strategy for economic diversification in the Overseas Territories.

The UK is committed to meeting the reasonable assistance needs of Montserrat. Much of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funding allocated to Montserrat is used to support major infrastructure projects and economic development, such as the construction of a new hospital, a new air traffic control tower, and supporting green energy transition including geothermal testing. The FCDO work in partnership with Government of Montserrat (GoM) and the Governor's Office to ensure all proposals are assessed in accordance with FCDO and GoM rules and procedures.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on consumer electricity prices in Montserrat of proposals to review and re-engineer the island’s energy grid.

The UK is committed to meeting the reasonable assistance needs of Montserrat. Much of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funding allocated to Montserrat is used to support major infrastructure projects and economic development, such as the construction of a new hospital, a new air traffic control tower, and supporting green energy transition including geothermal testing. The FCDO work in partnership with Government of Montserrat (GoM) and the Governor's Office to ensure all proposals are assessed in accordance with FCDO and GoM rules and procedures.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assistance her Department provides to people in the Pitcairn islands with complex medical conditions that cannot be treated locally.

The UK remains committed to meeting the reasonable assistance needs of the Pitcairn Islands. Our funding supports a medical clinic on island and enables the Government of the Pitcairn Islands (GPI) to refer complex medical cases to Tahiti or New Zealand with support from an external healthcare provider.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the her Department has been consulted on proposals submitted to the Government of Montserrat on the development of geothermal energy capacity linked to digital infrastructure projects; and if he will place in the Library any correspondence or assessments relating to those proposals.

The UK is committed to meeting the reasonable assistance needs of Montserrat. Much of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funding allocated to Montserrat is used to support major infrastructure projects and economic development, such as the construction of a new hospital, a new air traffic control tower, and supporting green energy transition including geothermal testing. The FCDO work in partnership with Government of Montserrat (GoM) and the Governor's Office to ensure all proposals are assessed in accordance with FCDO and GoM rules and procedures.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the written answer of 15 January 2025 to Question 104147, what steps she is taking to help ensure transparency and value for money in support of the Howard Hamilton International Airport redevelopment project following the cancellation of the PPP procurement process.

The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Government is responsible for devolved matters, including the Howard Hamilton International Airport redevelopment. Officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are in close contact with TCI Government to understand their decision and stand ready to offer our support to ensure value for money and transparent procurement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 87235 on Yemen: Christianity, what (a) outcomes and (b) policy developments have resulted from the UK’s engagement with (i) the United Nations and (ii) international partners on the protection of Christian minority communities in Yemen, including in areas under Houthi control.

The UK remains firmly committed to protecting freedom of religion or belief in Yemen, including for Christian minority communities. Through the UN Security Council and the Human Rights Council, we continue to raise concerns about the treatment of minorities in Yemen and emphasise the need for an inclusive peace process, to ensure that all communities, including religious minorities, are protected. These challenges are complex and long‑standing, but we will continue to press for progress alongside our international partners.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her Chinese counterpart on the civil war in Burma.

The UK continues to use its penholder role at the UN Security Council (UNSC) to shine a spotlight on the Myanmar crisis, and condemn airstrikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure, in meetings attended by China and other Security Council members. Details of the UNSC meeting convened by the UK on 22 December 2025 can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/elections-under-the-current-circumstances-in-myanmar-risk-provoking-further-violence-uk-statement-on-myanmar

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing educational scholarships for citizens of the British Overseas Territories.

The Chevening Scholarships programme (established 1983) and the Commonwealth Scholarships programme (established 1959) are available to citizens from the Overseas Territories. Further information on the programmes including how to apply is available here: https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/ and https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will provide an update on the status of Anguilla House, the representatives office for the Government of Anguilla in the UK.

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the Blue Belt Programme Expedition to the Caribbean.

The Blue Belt Beyond the Reef Expedition (13 January-28 February) is a pioneering survey of the largely unexplored offshore waters of Anguilla, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Cayman Islands. A full assessment of findings will follow the conclusion of the survey and subsequent data analysis.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made in trends in the levels of sargassum seaweed influxes in Anguilla.

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK and Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council 2025: communiqué, published November 2025 what steps she has taken to tackle underinvestment in water supply and health services in Anguilla.

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.