Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Obese-Jecty this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 172 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 27 April 2026, to Question 125343 on Syria: Islamic State, what is the full scope of the “closer work together on returns” that was discussed
On 31 March, the Prime Minister welcomed Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa on his first official visit to the UK. Details of his discussions with the PM and other UK Government interlocutors were included in the press notice released on 31 March and discus...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the news story entitled Jonathan Powell appointed as Special Envoy for BIOT negotiations, published on 6 September 2024, whether the phrase He will begin his role immediately means that Jonathan Powell’s role as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the BIOT officially started on 6 September 2024.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 18 March in response to Question 118787.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 2404 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Public Appointments, on what date did her predecessor a) appoint Jonathan Powell, b) did he commence the role and c) was his appointment publicly announced.
I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on 11, 18 and 19 March in response to Questions 117954, 118781 and 119899.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 2404 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Public Appointments, on what dates her predecessor met with Jonathan Powell prior to appointing him as the Prime Minister's Envoy for the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)/Chagos Archipelago Sovereignty Negotiation with Mauritius.
I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on 11, 18 and 19 March in response to Questions 117954, 118781 and 119899.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Jonathan Powell was interviewed for the role of the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory.
I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on 11, 18 and 19 March in response to Questions 117954, 118781 and 119899.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of calls by the President of Argentina on 2 April 2026 for renewed negotiations with the UK over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
No such assessment is required. The UK's steadfast support for the Falkland Islanders' right of self‑determination remains unchanged, and our position on sovereignty and the defence of the Falkland Islands remains equally steadfast and consistent.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what reason the UK supported the nomination of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the UN Committee for Program and Coordination on 8 April 2026.
The Hon Member is misinformed. The Asia-Pacific Group of states agreed within their group to put forward Iran, India, Japan and Pakistan as candidates for the four available regional seats on the committee in question. As per normal practice, those regional nominations went forward without a vote, with no expression of support from the UK.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Prime Minister and President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria discussed the return of ISIS-linked British citizens from camps in Syria to the UK during the meeting on 31 March 2026.
The Prime Minister welcomed President al-Sharaa to the UK on 31 March. Details of their discussions are available on GOV.UK at this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-meeting-with-president-ahmed-al-sharaa-of-syria-31-march-2026.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she met President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Syria during his visit to the UK on 31 March 2026.
The Prime Minister welcomed President al-Sharaa to the UK on 31 March. Details of their discussions are available on GOV.UK at this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-meeting-with-president-ahmed-al-sharaa-of-syria-31-march-2026.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what level of security clearance was granted to Peter Mandelson prior to his appointment as Ambassador to the United States.
I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 20 April, and his answers to the questions raised in response.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Soft Power Council has submitted (a) reports and (b) formal advice to her Department since January 2025.
Available information about the Soft Power Council can be found on GOV.UK, including details of the dates of all its meetings to date and records that cover the issues discussed at each meeting. The Soft Power Council is attended on a voluntary basis by its members, and has no separate office or other fixed overheads.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the cost was of the Soft Power Council in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26; and what the estimated cost is for 2026-27.
Available information about the Soft Power Council can be found on GOV.UK, including details of the dates of all its meetings to date and records that cover the issues discussed at each meeting. The Soft Power Council is attended on a voluntary basis by its members, and has no separate office or other fixed overheads.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many times the Soft Power Council has met; and on what dates.
Available information about the Soft Power Council can be found on GOV.UK, including details of the dates of all its meetings to date and records that cover the issues discussed at each meeting. The Soft Power Council is attended on a voluntary basis by its members, and has no separate office or other fixed overheads.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which projects will no longer be supported following the reduction in funding for Official Development Assistance in 2027.
I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 19 March outlining the UK's Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations for the period up to 2028-29, and to the accompanying documents setting out the detail of those allocations. I also refer him to the evidence provided by the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for International Development at the International Development Committee on 24 March, where they addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much does she estimate the 0.2% of Gross National Income reduction in funding for Official Development Assistance from 2027 will amount to in pound sterling.
I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 19 March outlining the UK's Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations for the period up to 2028-29, and to the accompanying documents setting out the detail of those allocations. I also refer him to the evidence provided by the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for International Development at the International Development Committee on 24 March, where they addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the value for money of payments from the Government to Inter Mediate since 5 July 2024.
The Programming Operating Framework (ProF), published on gov.uk explains the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office's approach to assessing value for money.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date Lord Mandelson (a) was appointed to and (b) commenced his role as Ambassador to the United States of America.
Peter Mandelson's appointment was announced on 20 December 2024 and he commenced his role as Ambassador to the United States of America on 10 February 2025.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress she has made on legal options to pursue the Russian Shadow Fleet.
Disrupting the Russian shadow fleet is a priority for the UK and our action is having an impact. We have already sanctioned 595 shadow fleet vessels, and an estimated $4.5 billion less in Russian oil and oil products has been carried by these vessels as a result.On 26 March, the Prime Minister announced that UK Armed Forces and law enforcement officers would now be able to interdict vessels that have been sanctioned by the UK and are transiting through UK waters. Any action against these vessels would adhere to strict legal procedures and comply with both domestic and international law.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the press release published on 6 September 2026 titled Jonathan Powell appointed as Special Envoy for BIOT negotiations, on what date was Jonathan Powell a) appointed and b) commenced his role as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the British Indian Ocean Territory.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 3 March in response to Question 115117.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she has taken to impose sanctions upon Mojtaba Khamenei.
The Government has a wide range of sanctions in place in relation to Iran, including a range of sanctions measures which apply to key figures and entities who have provided funds or economic resources to the Iranian regime. These have resulted in a range of impacts: for example the freezing of UK based assets held by sanctioned individual Ali Ansari, including property.It would not be appropriate to speculate about potential future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact.