Written questions by Rosindell.

Representing the Church Commissioners, what legal advice the Church of England has received on the proposed use of church funds for slavery reparations through the Fund for Healing, Repair and Justice.

I refer the Hon. Member for Romford to the written answer to the question asked by the Hon. Member for the Weald of Kent published on 6 May 2025 (UIN 47114). Any legal advice received is subject to legal privilege in the usual wayAn application to the Charities Commission for a new Fund for Healing, Repair and Justice is being preparedPlease note that the response to the historic links with African chattel enslavement (known internally by the programme/project name ‘Spire’) is not “slavery reparations”. The Church Commissioners hope and pray that the new Fund will be an act of reparative justice and part of a meaningful process of healing and repair to bring about a better, fairer, future for all.

Representing the Church Commissioners, what legal advice the Church of England has received on the proposed use of church funds for slavery reparations through Project Spire.

I refer the Hon. Member for Romford to the written answer to the question asked by the Hon. Member for the Weald of Kent published on 6 May 2025 (UIN 47114). Any legal advice received is subject to legal privilege in the usual wayAn application to the Charities Commission for a new Fund for Healing, Repair and Justice is being preparedPlease note that the response to the historic links with African chattel enslavement (known internally by the programme/project name ‘Spire’) is not “slavery reparations”. The Church Commissioners hope and pray that the new Fund will be an act of reparative justice and part of a meaningful process of healing and repair to bring about a better, fairer, future for all.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations his Department has made to his counterpart in Ukraine on the capture of North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces and their reported desire to defect to South Korea.

The UK strongly condemns North Korea's military support for Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, and we remain deeply concerned about the deepening strategic relationship between Russia and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which has significant implications for Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security.Decisions regarding the status and future of prisoners of war captured in Ukraine are for the Ukrainian authorities to determine, in consultation with relevant partners and in accordance with applicable legal and humanitarian frameworks.

If she will ensure that betting duty on greyhound racing (a) online, (b) in betting shops and (c) on course remains the same as for bets on horseracing.

We consulted on measures to simplify gambling duty and improve compliance. The consultation closed on 21 July and all responses are being carefully considered. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax at fiscal events and will set out our response to the consultation at the Budget.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to recognise the outcome of the Tanzanian general election of 29 October 2025.

Alongside her counterparts from Canada and Norway, the Foreign Secretary published a statement on 31 October, stating: "We are concerned by the situation in Tanzania following the national elections of 28 and 29 October. There are credible reports of a large number of fatalities and significant injuries, as a result of the security response to protests, which began on 29 October. We urge the authorities - as previously discussed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - to act with maximum restraint and respect the right of assembly and freedom of expression. We remain concerned that the run-up to the elections was marked by harassment, abductions and intimidation of opposition figures, journalists and civil society actors. We call on the Tanzanian authorities to uphold their international commitments and ensure that all citizens can participate freely and safely in public life." We are continuing to monitor the situation.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to consult UK maritime stakeholders on the implementation of the UN Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction.

Defra will be launching a consultation on implementation of Part IV of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement on Environmental Impact Assessments. Through this consultation, we will seek information from UK maritime stakeholders on marine activities occurring in areas beyond national jurisdiction and views on marine licensing regime arrangements. The proposed changes in the consultation will be further to provisions in Part 4 of the BBNJ Bill which was introduced in Parliament on 10 September 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking with international partners to help tackle (a) religious persecution and (b) violence in (i) northern and (ii) central Nigeria.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 3 November to Question 85661.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to support representations for an independent investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings in Tanzania since October 2025.

Alongside her counterparts from Canada and Norway, the Foreign Secretary published a statement on 31 October, stating: "We are concerned by the situation in Tanzania following the national elections of 28 and 29 October. There are credible reports of a large number of fatalities and significant injuries, as a result of the security response to protests, which began on 29 October. We urge the authorities - as previously discussed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - to act with maximum restraint and respect the right of assembly and freedom of expression. We remain concerned that the run-up to the elections was marked by harassment, abductions and intimidation of opposition figures, journalists and civil society actors. We call on the Tanzanian authorities to uphold their international commitments and ensure that all citizens can participate freely and safely in public life." We are continuing to monitor the situation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to review UK aid to Tanzania, in the context of the human rights situation.

Alongside her counterparts from Canada and Norway, the Foreign Secretary published a statement on 31 October, stating: "We are concerned by the situation in Tanzania following the national elections of 28 and 29 October. There are credible reports of a large number of fatalities and significant injuries, as a result of the security response to protests, which began on 29 October. We urge the authorities - as previously discussed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - to act with maximum restraint and respect the right of assembly and freedom of expression. We remain concerned that the run-up to the elections was marked by harassment, abductions and intimidation of opposition figures, journalists and civil society actors. We call on the Tanzanian authorities to uphold their international commitments and ensure that all citizens can participate freely and safely in public life." We are continuing to monitor the situation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the designation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern by the United States.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 3 November to Question 85661.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the legitimacy of the general election in Tanzania in October 2025.

Alongside her counterparts from Canada and Norway, the Foreign Secretary published a statement on 31 October, stating: "We are concerned by the situation in Tanzania following the national elections of 28 and 29 October. There are credible reports of a large number of fatalities and significant injuries, as a result of the security response to protests, which began on 29 October. We urge the authorities - as previously discussed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - to act with maximum restraint and respect the right of assembly and freedom of expression. We remain concerned that the run-up to the elections was marked by harassment, abductions and intimidation of opposition figures, journalists and civil society actors. We call on the Tanzanian authorities to uphold their international commitments and ensure that all citizens can participate freely and safely in public life." We are continuing to monitor the situation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to the Government of Tanzania on the (a) detention and (b) trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

Alongside her counterparts from Canada and Norway, the Foreign Secretary published a statement on 31 October, stating: "We are concerned by the situation in Tanzania following the national elections of 28 and 29 October. There are credible reports of a large number of fatalities and significant injuries, as a result of the security response to protests, which began on 29 October. We urge the authorities - as previously discussed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - to act with maximum restraint and respect the right of assembly and freedom of expression. We remain concerned that the run-up to the elections was marked by harassment, abductions and intimidation of opposition figures, journalists and civil society actors. We call on the Tanzanian authorities to uphold their international commitments and ensure that all citizens can participate freely and safely in public life." We are continuing to monitor the situation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has raised the case of British citizen Nnamdi Kanu with the Nigerian authorities.

The UK Government takes all allegations of human rights violations and due process concerns very seriously including raising with local authorities where appropriate. We assess what action is appropriate to take on the specific facts of the case. The UK Government has raised Mr Kanu's case with the Nigerian authorities on multiple occasions, most recently on 11 November 2025 when Baroness Chapman, Minister for Africa met with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar. Consular officials visit Mr Kanu and attend his trial hearings on a regular basis and remain in contact with his family and legal representatives.The UK respects the territorial integrity of Nigeria. We encourage dialogue between the many ethnic groups and communities that make up and contribute to the strength and diversity of Nigeria. The UK supports and respects the Nigerian Government's commitment to work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria for all its citizens and is committed to working with Nigeria in support of this objective.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Nigerian Government on (a) arbitrary detentions and (b) due process.

The UK Government takes all allegations of human rights violations and due process concerns very seriously including raising with local authorities where appropriate. We assess what action is appropriate to take on the specific facts of the case. The UK Government has raised Mr Kanu's case with the Nigerian authorities on multiple occasions, most recently on 11 November 2025 when Baroness Chapman, Minister for Africa met with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar. Consular officials visit Mr Kanu and attend his trial hearings on a regular basis and remain in contact with his family and legal representatives.The UK respects the territorial integrity of Nigeria. We encourage dialogue between the many ethnic groups and communities that make up and contribute to the strength and diversity of Nigeria. The UK supports and respects the Nigerian Government's commitment to work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria for all its citizens and is committed to working with Nigeria in support of this objective.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the treatment of members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra in Nigeria.

The UK Government takes all allegations of human rights violations and due process concerns very seriously including raising with local authorities where appropriate. We assess what action is appropriate to take on the specific facts of the case. The UK Government has raised Mr Kanu's case with the Nigerian authorities on multiple occasions, most recently on 11 November 2025 when Baroness Chapman, Minister for Africa met with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar. Consular officials visit Mr Kanu and attend his trial hearings on a regular basis and remain in contact with his family and legal representatives.The UK respects the territorial integrity of Nigeria. We encourage dialogue between the many ethnic groups and communities that make up and contribute to the strength and diversity of Nigeria. The UK supports and respects the Nigerian Government's commitment to work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria for all its citizens and is committed to working with Nigeria in support of this objective.

What steps she has taken with relevant stakeholders to help tackle illegal car sales.

While the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has no powers to govern how cars are bought and sold, it does play a key role in maintaining accurate records of vehicles and their registered keepers to support wider efforts to tackle vehicle-related crime. It is a legal requirement to notify the DVLA when a vehicle is bought or sold. The latest available data shows that more than 93 per cent of vehicle keepers are contactable and traceable from the information held on the DVLA’s records. Of the remainder, around six per cent are in the motor trade where a vehicle may legitimately have no registered keeper.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic discussions she has had with her Chinese counterparts on the detention of Church leader Zhang Chunlei; and what steps she is taking to ensure his release.

I refer the Hon. Member to my answer to question 83339 on 23 October.

With reference to her Department's report entitled Scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain: 2024, published on 23 October 2025, what assessment she has made of (a) the number of animals used in experiments in British laboratories for (i) basic and (ii) applied research in 2024 and (b) trends in the number of animals used in experiments in British laboratories for (A) basic and (B) applied research.

In 2024, there were 2.64 million regulated scientific procedures carried out in Great Britain involving living animals. This is a decrease of 1% on the previous year, and the lowest number since 2001.The trends in the number of animals and types of procedures carried out each year are influenced by a range of extraneous factors, for example requirements for research and testing which include products being brought to market.The Home Office is responsible for regulating under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) to assure compliance with protections afforded to animals used in science and to administrate the licensing framework. Data trends and requirements will be assessed by the authorities whom have particular responsibilities and requirements for the use of animals of science.

What assessment he has made of the contribution of the UK to national security in Northern Ireland.

The Government remains committed to keeping people safe. I pay tribute to those who work so hard to ensure peace and security across the United Kingdom. In relation to national security in Northern Ireland, the fact that the Northern Ireland Related Terrorism threat level was reduced in March 2024 to SUBSTANTIAL and remains there is testament to the tremendous efforts of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and security partners. In recognition of the security situation in Northern Ireland, the Government is providing the PSNI with £113 million over three years in Additional Security Funding to help address Northern Ireland’s specific security challenges and continue keeping people safe.

With reference to her Department's report entitled Scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain: 2024, published on 23 October 2025, what assessment she has made of (a) the number of animals used in experiments in British laboratories in 2024 and (b) trends in the number of animals used in experiments in British laboratories.

In 2024, there were 2.64 million regulated scientific procedures carried out in Great Britain involving living animals. This is a decrease of 1% on the previous year, and the lowest number since 2001.The trends in the number of animals and types of procedures carried out each year are influenced by a range of extraneous factors, for example requirements for research and testing which include products being brought to market.The Home Office is responsible for regulating under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) to assure compliance with protections afforded to animals used in science and to administrate the licensing framework. Data trends and requirements will be assessed by the authorities whom have particular responsibilities and requirements for the use of animals of science.