Written questions by Rosindell.

Whether the proposed Security Pact with the EU will be based on the 2018 EU template for third-country participation in EU defence and foreign policy structures.

At the UK-EU Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU agreed a unique and bespoke Security and Defence Partnership. The Partnership has been designed to complement our core bilateral security partnerships and support this Government’s commitment to NATO, which remains the cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security. The partnership documents frames cooperation through dialogues, information exchange and identification of collaborative opportunities including case-by-case involvement in EU initiatives.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 50066 on Venezuela: Human Rights and Politics and Government, whether he plans to meet UK-based civil society organisations supporting democracy in Venezuela.

The UK remains gravely concerned about Venezuela's democratic future. The UK has been clear that Nicolas Maduro's claim to power is fraudulent and that the outcome of the presidential elections on 28 July 2024 was neither free nor fair. The UK Government will continue to support the restoration of democracy to Venezuela, which is essential for the well-being of the country and its people. We are in regular contact with international partners, civil society and political figures towards this end. The UK continues to pay testament to the millions of Venezuelans who turned out to vote on 28 July 2024.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of Anguilla's ambulance fleet since the provision of UK Government funding in February 2025.

Earlier this year, the UK expanded Anguilla's ambulance fleet by providing two FCDO-funded ambulances from West Midlands Ambulance Service. These are now operational and have improved Anguilla's emergency response capacity. The West Midlands Ambulance Service will also assist with further training for Anguillan paramedics. This uplift was part of wider UK support for Anguilla's emergency services, including a new search-and-rescue vessel, and support to Anguilla's new Joint Emergency Services Control Room.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 50064 on China: Caribbean, whether he plans to provide guidance to the Inter-American Development Bank on the financing of infrastructure in Caribbean nations as an alternative to Chinese state-backed loans.

The UK is a shareholder of and supports the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank (WB) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in their work in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) regions, providing financial support for sustainable development and growth, including sustainable, resilient and inclusive infrastructure, to bolster climate resilience, advance citizen security and create economic opportunities to improve lives across the region.The UK is a leading development partner within the IDB Group, exemplified by its flagship UK Sustainable Infrastructure Programme (UKSIP), a partnership between IDB and the UK. UKSIP supports countries in LAC to reduce emissions, adapt to climate change, ensure infrastructure and communities are resilient to its effects, and invest in cost effective nature-based solutions through technical assistance and blended finance investments.IDB has robust and well-established policies and procedures in place. As one of the Bank's shareholders, we engage closely with the bank to help shape their strategies, policies and procedures.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 50072 on Syria: Druze, what assurances his Department have received from the Syrian Government on the protection of the Druze minorities.

We have been clear that violence earlier this year against Syria's diverse communities, including the Druze, was appalling. In our engagement with the Syrian government we emphasise that the protection of all Syrians and their full inclusion in the transition process is vital for peace in Syria. There has been some positive progress, including a commitment made in the Constitutional Declaration to the protection of freedom of religion and belief. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his (a) counterpart in Venezuela and (b) the Venezuelan Ambassador in London on Jesús Armas.

Protecting human rights in Venezuela is a priority for the UK and we have repeatedly called for the immediate and unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained, including at the Human Rights Council (HRC) on 18 March. On 26 May the Minister of State for International Development, Latin America and Caribbean expressed the UK's deep concern about continuing repression and arbitrary detentions in Venezuela. The UK was also party to the G7 Foreign Ministers' statements of 24 September and 26 November 2024 calling for all unjustly detained political prisoners to be released. The UK will continue to work with international partners to achieve a peaceful solution in Venezuela and for the immediate and unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proscription of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham on UK relations with the Syrian Government.

As both the Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary have said, the fact that Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is a proscribed terrorist group does not prevent the UK from engaging with it nor the Syrian government that includes HTS. We continue to engage the Syrian government because we want to promote stability in Syria, which is in the UK's interests, including through protection of human rights, unfettered access for humanitarian aid, safe destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles, and combatting of terrorism and extremism.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the proposed EU security and defence partnership, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed third-state rules on UK foreign policy autonomy in (a) Gibraltar, (b) the Falkland Islands and (c) other overseas territories.

The UK is sovereign over its Overseas Territories (OTs) and is responsible for their external affairs, defence, and security. The UK is proud of the significant role the OTs play to support the UK's, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization's, global security and defence objectives. The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) will in no way impact that significant role, nor will it affect the security and defence relationship between the UK and our Overseas Territories. Furthermore, the SDP does not impact existing or future cooperation between European Union partners and UK Overseas Territories across the globe. The SDP is clear that UK Overseas Territories can be included in future arrangements or agreements.

With reference to the policy paper entitled UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, published on 19 May 2025, whether the UK will have a veto over new EU laws that apply under dynamic alignment provisions.

The details of new agreements described in the Common Understanding are subject to negotiation. The Common Understanding is clear that where the UK Government decides to align with EU rules as part of an agreement this will give due regard to the UK’s constitutional and Parliamentary procedures. The UK will be involved, as a sovereign nation outside of the European Union, at an early stage and contribute to the decision-shaping process of European Union legal acts. The Common Understanding does not provide for oversight of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) within Great Britain or Northern Ireland. Instead it provides that the CJEU will have a limited role in assisting an independent arbitration tribunal responsible for deciding a dispute between the UK and the EU, and only where there is dynamic alignment of laws under any future SPS agreement, ETS linking agreement or an electricity agreement. The CJEU does not rule on the substantive outcome of the dispute - that is a matter for the independent arbitration panel.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the British Overseas Territories to enforce sanctions against Venezuela.

On 10 January, the UK sanctioned 15 new individuals associated with Maduro's contested regime responsible for undermining democracy and committing serious human rights violations. The UK and Overseas Territories Governments work closely to apply UK sanctions across the Territories. The UK Government has been providing technical support to teams across the Overseas Territory Governments to build capability and to strengthen sanctions enforcement.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54689 on Dangerous Dogs: Social Rented Housing, if he will provide additional guidance to the owners of XL Bully dogs who have exempted the dog but are denied the right to keep it in social housing.

It is for the housing provider to decide their own policies on whether they permit tenants to keep exempted banned breed types. Owners of XL Bullies can contact their housing provider if they have queries about their policy in relation to exempted dogs.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to convene a cross-sectoral task force to develop a pathway to crate-free farrowing for the pig industry.

The use of farrowing crates and other close confinement systems for farmed animals is an issue which the Department is currently considering very carefully. The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway supports farmers to improve animal health and welfare through a series of co-designed incentives, and the Department will continue to work across all relevant sectors to encourage improvements in pig welfare.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help support the Thames Chase Community Forest.

England's Community Forests are delivering the multi-million-pound national Trees for Climate programme, playing a significant part in the national Government's commitment to address climate change and carbon mitigation through tree planting and woodland creation. We are supporting England’s Community Forests through the provision of funding to create woodland in areas of social and canopy deprivation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 50828 on Saint Helena: Politics and Government, how many constitutions of the Overseas Territories other than Saint Helena contain a provision that gives their governor special responsibility for finance; and for what reason a provision giving the governor of St Helena special responsibility for finance has been retained in its constitution.

The special responsibilities of Governors varies between each Overseas Territory constitution, including, where relevant, in relation to finance-related responsibilities. Some constitutions, particularly on islands with small populations, confer powers on Governors in respect of finance, including in St Helena.

What steps she has taken to work with the devolved Administrations to increase transport connectivity between the four Home Nations.

While transport is largely a devolved responsibility for the Governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Department for Transport is working with its counterparts to improve transport connectivity across the UK.As recommended by the Union Connectivity Review, the UK government funded three rail feasibility studies in Northern Ireland looking at electrification, re-opening closed railway lines and improving access to airports. The UK Government also funded three studies focused on improving the North Wales Transport Corridor to completion and is funding Transport Scotland’s A75 feasibility study to explore options to bypass Springholm and Crocketford.Separately, the UK Government subsidises flights between City of Derry Airport and London Heathrow Airport through a Public Service Obligation.This Government is establishing Great British Railways (GBR) which will be the ‘directing mind’ for the rail industry, bringing together the management of the network and the delivery of passenger services into a single public body. GBR will work closely with the Devolved Governments where responsibilities are devolved and will provide the integrated and long-term thinking the rail sector needs to grow and support the UK economy. GBR will be established in early 2027, subject to the Railways Bill achieving Royal Assent. We will continue to work, where appropriate, with the Devolved Governments to improve transport outcomes for all people of the UK.

What steps she has taken to work with relevant authorities to reduce fatalities involving young drivers in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency.

Local authorities have a statutory duty to take steps both to reduce and prevent collisions, and the powers to make their own decisions about the design of the streets under their care, taking account of the relevant legislation and official guidance. My Department is developing its Road Safety Strategy and will set out more details in due course. We absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic incidents on our roads, and we are exploring options to tackle the root causes of this.

What steps she has taken to work with relevant authorities to reduce drug or alcohol linked fatalities on roads in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency.

The enforcement of road traffic law and how available resources are deployed is the responsibility of individual Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners, taking into account the specific local problems and demands with which they are faced. THINK!, the Government’s flagship road safety campaign, works closely with local authority partners and the police to align on road safety campaign activity. In November 2024, THINK! launched a new drink driving campaign that highlighted the risks of losing your licence after drinking even a little before driving. The Government is considering policy options in respect of motoring offences, including around drink and drug driving. Details will follow in due course.

What steps he has taken with His Majesty’s armed forces to improve the maritime defence of British Exclusive Economic Zones.

The primary role of the Royal Navy is to defend and protect the UK, whilst enhancing its resilience. As part of this core task, it monitors, tracks and responds to any potential threats in the UK EEZ, through frequent patrolling by British warships, monitoring and shadowing warships in UK waters, and use of the Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance (MROS) programme, among other activity and capabilities. The Government has also been clear on its readiness and willingness to respond decisively to any maritime threat to the UK and its interests. The Strategic Defence Review has highlighted the enduring requirement to secure the UK maritime zone, and the steps needed to ensure the Royal Navy are equipped to respond to the changing nature of threat in this domain. The Government has accepted the review’s recommendations in full.

If she will make a comparative assessment of the decrease in tobacco duty as set out in HMRC's annual tax receipts bulletin with the ONS smoking prevalence data in (a) 2023 to 2024 and (b) 2024-2025.

In 2023/24 tobacco duty receipts totalled £8,804 million. In 2024/25, tobacco duty receipts fell 10% to £7,926 million. ONS smoking prevalence data is published by calendar year. In 2023 approximately 12% of over 18s in the UK were current smokers. The ONS has yet to publish data on smoking prevalence for 2024.

What steps he has taken with His Majesty’s armed forces to improve defence co-operation with Singapore.

I am pleased to report positive momentum on our defence co-operation with Singapore. The Secretary of State for Defence met with the previous Singaporean Defence Minister in October 2024. Between March and May 2025, the Commander of UK Strategic Command, the Chief of the Air Staff, the Minister for the House of Lords and Chief of the Defence Staff met with their Singaporean counterparts to discuss means to enhance cooperation. The Strategic Defence Review highlights the importance of our investment in the Five Power Defence Arrangements including Singapore to promote cooperation in the region. We have sought to deepen interoperability with Singapore including through shared logistics and support to enable the persistent deployment of our two offshore patrol vessels in the Indo Pacific. In May, we welcomed the RSS Formidable to London, the first Singaporean ship to the UK in 25 years. Looking ahead, the UK's Carrier Strike Group will visit Singapore as its first port call in the region, during which time the Minister for the House of Lords and Vice Chief of the Defence Staff will visit.