Written questions by Rosindell.

Whether his Department plans to enter into an association agreement with the EU on (a) UK participation in (i) the European Defence Agency, (ii) the European Defence Fund and (iii) Permanent Structured Cooperation and (b) other defence matters.

As agreed in the Security and Defence Partnership, the EU and UK will regularly exchange on defence initiatives. Implementation discussions will begin shortly, exploring the possibility of establishing an Administrative Arrangement between the UK and the European Defence Agency, as well as cooperation in individual PESCO projects. Currently participation in the European Defence Fund (EDF) is open only to industry located in European Union Member States and those members of the European Economic Area associated with the EDF (Norway). Any UK commitment – financial or otherwise – will ensure value for taxpayers and support defence goals.

What steps his Department is taking to help support (a) UK and (b) allied operations aimed at disrupting cocaine trafficking networks operating (i) through Venezuela and (ii) in the wider Caribbean region.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 4 February 2025 to Question 26446. A Royal Navy ship maintains a persistent presence in the Caribbean Sea where it contributes to regional security through the conduct of counter-illicit trafficking operations. Defence maintains close relationships with independent states throughout the region and works in partnership with Canada, France, the Netherlands and the United States to align and conduct joint activity.

Whether he has had recent discussions with his Colombian counterpart on the potential impact of the mancozeb ban on (a) bilateral trade and (b) regional stability.

The decision to withdraw the use of mancozeb in Great Britain does not immediately affect imports. The UK Government recognises the importance that bilateral trade between the UK and Colombia plays in boosting growth and ensuring regional stability. The UK is open to discussing the concerns of our trade partners, though DBT Ministers have not met with Colombia on this issue.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Hong Kong authorities on the reported prosecution of Kwok Yin-sang, the father of a British National (Overseas) passport holder in exile Anna Kwok, in connection with her pro-democracy advocacy abroad.

The UK is closely monitoring the prosecution of Kwok Yin-sang, father of Anna Kwok. China's imposition of the National Security Law has significantly eroded the rights and freedoms of Hong Kongers, a situation that has worsened with the enactment of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. We call on Beijing to repeal the National Security Law, including its extraterritorial reach.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of UK participation in EU defence industrial programmes on (a) the AUKUS agreement and (b) other existing defence procurement partnerships.

As the Strategic Defence Review recognised, international partnerships are crucial for the UK’s security and prosperity. The UK remains firmly committed to the AUKUS partnership and is working closely with the US and Australia at all levels to maximise the benefits and opportunities which AUKUS presents for our three nations. The new Security and Defence Partnership with the EU is complementary to our existing work and the full range of our defence partnerships.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment has his Department made of the effect of the Hong Kong National Security Law on the (a) safety and (b) rights of (i) British Nationals (Overseas) passport holders and (ii) their families in (A) cases of transnational repression targeting relatives of exiled activists and (B) other matters.

China's imposition of the National Security Law on Hong Kong has seen opposition stifled and dissent criminalised. It has significantly eroded the rights and freedoms of Hong Kongers. This government has consistently called on Beijing to repeal the National Security Law, including its extraterritorial reach. The UK is clear that any attempts by foreign Governments to coerce, intimidate or harm critics overseas, are unacceptable. In June, myself and the Security Minister met those recently targeted by Hong Kong police with arrest warrants.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made recent representations to his counterpart in (a) Hong Kong and (b) China on the wellbeing of wanted people of Hong Kong origin residing in the UK.

The Foreign Secretary spoke to his counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in April and raised the impact of transnational repression on Hong Kongers residing in the UK. The Foreign Secretary personally met those recently targeted by the Hong Kong police with arrest warrants and bounties in January.The UK is clear that any attempts by foreign Governments to coerce, intimidate or harm critics overseas, are unacceptable. This Government is deeply committed to supporting all members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the Commonwealth’s role in advancing the UK’s Global Britain strategy post-Brexit.

The Commonwealth will continue to be an ever-important network for the UK, particularly in these challenging geopolitical times. The UK will work with Commonwealth members to boost economic growth, tackle the climate and nature crisis and create opportunities for future generations. The Commonwealth presents a particularly significant opportunity for future UK economic growth, as it is home to some of our biggest trading partners, such as India, Canada and South Africa, as well as six of the world's ten fastest-growing economies.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in the Republic of Ireland on recent events in Ballymena.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland discussed this with the Tánaiste on 12 June.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Colombian counterpart on their offer to host a UK technical delegation to assess migration and border control improvements.

The Minister for International Development, Latin America and Caribbean has discussed migration and border control issues with her Colombian counterparts, including the potential for a technical visit from the UK to Colombia. We also regularly engage on these issues with the Colombian Government through our Embassy in Bogotá. Tackling irregular migration into the UK remains our top priority. The UK Government keeps its visa and immigration system under constant review given our commitment to border security.

What criteria were used to determine the re-imposition of visit visa requirements for Colombia; and what determination he made using those criteria for other Latin American countries.

Full details were provided in the explanatory memorandum accompanying the changes to the Immigration Rules: Explanatory Memorandum to the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules Presented to Parliament on 26 November 2024.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to implement the recommendations of the report by the Eminent Persons Group entitled A Commonwealth of the People – Time for Urgent Reform, published in October 2011.

The 2011 Eminent Persons' report made a valuable contribution to the debate on Commonwealth reform. A number of recommendations were adopted, including the establishment of the Commonwealth Charter, which was signed by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 11 March 2013 and reaffirmed by His Majesty the King on 13 March 2023. The role of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group was also strengthened as a consequence of the Eminent Persons' report recommendations. Further reforms were adopted at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali in 2022. The UK remains a strong proponent of Commonwealth reform and fully supports the reform agenda of the Commonwealth Secretary-General.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to promote (a) digital connectivity and (b) internet access in (i) small island development states and (ii) other nations in the Commonwealth.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office supports the inclusive, responsible, and sustainable digital transformation of partner countries.Our Digital Development Strategy 2024-2030 aims to support last-mile connectivity, to help close the digital divide in a world where 2.6 billion people are still offline.Through our Digital Access Programme, we catalyse sustainable, scalable technology and business models that enhance access to inclusive and affordable Internet connectivity.We work with telecoms regulators in developing countries, facilitating peer learning with Ofcom, and sharing approaches to spectrum management that enable internet service providers to serve remote low-income areas.To drive safe and productive use of digital connectivity, we support digital skills and cyber-hygiene awareness, with a focus on underserved communities and marginalised groups, for example women and persons living with disabilities.The Digital Access Programme has sustainably improved the digital inclusion of over 15 million people, within 5,000 communities across 5 countries, including 3 Commonwealth members: Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.In Indonesia, we supported 'community networks' that use local recyclable materials and renewable energy for local internet infrastructure; and we're sharing this knowledge through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and with the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific.Working with the Commonwealth Telecoms Organisation we are engaging with its 33 member states (including SIDS) to support policies, strategies, and regulations that create a conducive environment for inclusive connectivity and affordable digital access.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the policy paper entitled UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, published on 19 May 2025, whether he plans to incorporate the proposed security and defence partnership with the EU into the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on UK compliance with EU (a) foreign and (b) defence policy in the context of trade restrictions.

A broad and ambitious Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) was adopted at the UK - EU Summit on the 19 May, stemming from a shared commitment to safeguard European security and support Ukraine. There are no plans to bring the SDP under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).

What plans her Department has to review the current proscription of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) under the Terrorism Act 2000; and what criteria will be used to determine whether (a) HTS and (b) HTS's affiliates continue to pose a threat to national security.

As a matter of long-standing policy, the Government does not comment on proscription matters in respect of individual organisations.

With reference to the policy paper entitled UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, published on 19 May 2025, whether the EU will be entitled to claim damages through arbitration if the UK fails to implement new EU laws.

The details of new agreements described in the Common Understanding are subject to negotiation. The Common Understanding is clear that new agreements will be subject to independent arbitration.

What estimate she has made of the financial contribution the UK will make to the EU following the UK-EU Summit (a) on the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement (b) on the Emissions Trading System (ETS), (c) on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), (d) on Erasmus and (e) in total.

Implementation costs will be confirmed in due course when we have negotiated the details of these arrangements. This will include proportionate contributions in specific and limited areas, such as where access to specific IT systems will help to remove trade barriers for UK firms or help us to manage biosecurity risks. The UK will also negotiate fair financial contributions to the Erasmus+ programme which will reflect the benefits of participation. We will not be making general contributions to the EU budget.

With reference to the policy paper entitled UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, published on 19 May 2025, whether the EU will be permitted to station inspectors in the UK to monitor compliance with EU law.

The details of new agreements described in the Common Understanding are subject to negotiation. I remind the Hon Member that EU inspectors are stationed in the United Kingdom under the Windsor Framework, negotiated by the previous government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information his Department holds on the status of Jesús Armas.

The UK strongly condemns the ongoing repression against civil society and members of the opposition in Venezuela. We remain gravely concerned about reports of human rights abuses and violations, including arbitrary arrests and detentions. Over 900 Venezuelans remain arbitrarily detained, including Jesús Armas whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to send election monitors to monitor the presidential election in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in October 2025.

In line with the rest of the international community except Turkey, the UK does not recognise the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus".The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has no plans to send election monitors to monitor the "election" taking place in the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in October 2025.