Written questions by Law.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department supports the right of return for Armenians ethnically cleansed from Nagorno-Karabakh.

It is essential that Azerbaijan makes its recovered territories safe for the return of its own internally displaced population and provides clarity on the rights and security of ethnic Armenians who wish to return. To this end, we strongly welcome the initialling of a peace agreement and the signing of a joint declaration by President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan on 8 August in Washington, and commend President Trump's role in securing this breakthrough. The UK stands ready to support Armenia and Azerbaijan in securing long-term peace, stability, and prosperity for the South Caucasus - I discussed how the UK could do this in practical terms with both leaders during my visit to Baku and Yerevan on 25 and 26 August respectively.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Chinese counterpart on the potential merits of negotiating an agreement between China and Tibet.

This Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. This includes concerns about the erosion of Tibetan cultural rights and traditions by the Chinese authorities.We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Energy Secretary and I all raised human rights recently with our Chinese counterparts. We also continue to work closely with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations. On July 2 the UK convened an event in the Human Rights Council to reaffirm the right to freedom of religious belief for all, including Tibetan Buddhists.The Government recognises Tibet as part of the People's Republic of China. We view the appointment of the next Dalai Lama as a matter for the Tibetan Buddhist community to decide in line with freedom of religion and belief.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take diplomatic steps to ensure that the dispute between Tibet and China is resolved in accordance with international law.

This Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. This includes concerns about the erosion of Tibetan cultural rights and traditions by the Chinese authorities.We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Energy Secretary and I all raised human rights recently with our Chinese counterparts. We also continue to work closely with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations. On July 2 the UK convened an event in the Human Rights Council to reaffirm the right to freedom of religious belief for all, including Tibetan Buddhists.The Government recognises Tibet as part of the People's Republic of China. We view the appointment of the next Dalai Lama as a matter for the Tibetan Buddhist community to decide in line with freedom of religion and belief.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help protect the (a) rights and (b) safety of (i) Armenian and (ii) Arab Orthodox Christian communities in Syria.

We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised this with Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. The Foreign Secretary also raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Syrian counterpart on the protection of Christian minorities.

We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised this with Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. The Foreign Secretary also raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help tackle sectarian conflict between Syria's ethnic groups.

We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised this with Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. The Foreign Secretary also raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on disinformation on Tibet.

This Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. This includes concerns about the erosion of Tibetan cultural rights and traditions by the Chinese authorities.We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Energy Secretary and I all raised human rights recently with our Chinese counterparts. We also continue to work closely with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations. On July 2 the UK convened an event in the Human Rights Council to reaffirm the right to freedom of religious belief for all, including Tibetan Buddhists.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is taking action to limit the impact of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), which includes disinformation and propaganda, and working with international partners to forge a collective counter FIMI agenda.We continue to encourage freedoms for religious and cultural expression in Tibet and across China.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Syrian counterpart on ensuring a (a) comprehensive and (b) unbiased transitional process.

I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised the importance of accountability and transitional justice for a sustainable political transition, and offered UK support to Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. During the Foreign Secretary's meeting with President al Sharaa in Damascus in July, he also raised this. We support the Syrian Government in establishing Syrian-led processes, such as the National Commissions on Transitional Justice and Missing Persons, and have urged them to engage collaboratively with civil society and the UN to ensure these are inclusive, comprehensive and transparent.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will hold discussions with his Chinese counterpart on protecting the (a) cultural, (b) religious and (c) linguistic identity of the Tibetan people.

This Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. This includes concerns about the erosion of Tibetan cultural rights and traditions by the Chinese authorities.We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Energy Secretary and I all raised human rights recently with our Chinese counterparts. We also continue to work closely with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations. On July 2 the UK convened an event in the Human Rights Council to reaffirm the right to freedom of religious belief for all, including Tibetan Buddhists.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is taking action to limit the impact of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), which includes disinformation and propaganda, and working with international partners to forge a collective counter FIMI agenda.We continue to encourage freedoms for religious and cultural expression in Tibet and across China.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his Department's policy is on (a) whether Tibet is a part of China and (b) whether Tibet has been part of China since ancient times.

This Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. This includes concerns about the erosion of Tibetan cultural rights and traditions by the Chinese authorities.We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Energy Secretary and I all raised human rights recently with our Chinese counterparts. We also continue to work closely with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations. On July 2 the UK convened an event in the Human Rights Council to reaffirm the right to freedom of religious belief for all, including Tibetan Buddhists.The Government recognises Tibet as part of the People's Republic of China. We view the appointment of the next Dalai Lama as a matter for the Tibetan Buddhist community to decide in line with freedom of religion and belief.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of sectarian violence on Christian minorities in Syria.

We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised this with Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. The Foreign Secretary also raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Syrian counterpart on (a) preventing human rights violations, (b) protecting people and (c) ending sectarian violence in that country.

We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised this with Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. The Foreign Secretary also raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.

If her Department will waive biometric visa requirements for students in Gaza who are due to commence university programmes in the UK.

The Home Office has put in place systems to issue expedited visas for all Chevening scholars from Gaza, with biometric checks conducted prior to arrival in the UK.We are in the process of doing the same for a group of students in Gaza who have been awarded fully funded scholarships covering course fees and living costs at UK universities so they can start their studies in Autumn 2025. The Government is doing everything it can to support their safe exit and onward travel to the UK, while noting that the situation on the ground in Gaza makes this extremely challenging.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to encourage China to (a) ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and (b) uphold commitments under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

As UN member states, both the UK and China have a responsibility to uphold core pillars of the UN, including universal human rights. We continue to encourage China to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and to uphold the various international obligations they have freely signed up to.We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Energy Secretary and I all raised human rights recently with our Chinese counterparts. We also continue to work closely with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations. For example, joining a statement led by Australia on Xinjiang and Tibet at the UN General Assembly in October.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act in the US.

This Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. This includes concerns about the erosion of Tibetan cultural rights and traditions by the Chinese authorities.We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Energy Secretary and I all raised human rights recently with our Chinese counterparts. We also continue to work closely with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations. For example, joining a statement led by Australia on Xinjiang and Tibet at the UN General Assembly in October.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department officially recognises the Tibetan people as having a distinct (a) religious, (b) cultural, (c) linguistic and (d) historical identity.

This Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet, and the erosion of Tibetan language, history and culture.We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Energy Secretary and I all raised human rights recently with our Chinese counterparts. We also continue to work closely with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations. On July 2 the UK convened an event in the Human Rights Council to reaffirm the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief for all, including Tibetan Buddhists.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Government's policy on the 2030 roadmap for UK-Israel bilateral relations.

As the Foreign Secretary said in his statement to the house on 20 May, the UK will be reviewing our cooperation with Israel on the UK-Israel 2030 Bilateral roadmap. The continued actions of this Israeli Government mean that it is necessary for the UK Government to take this step. We have been clear that we need to see an immediate ceasefire in Gaza with the release of all hostages and significantly more aid consistently entering Gaza.

When the Government plans to respond to the correspondence of 28 April 2025 from the hon. Member for Dundee Central.

There are no plans to respond to the letter dated 28 April 2025.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Government's policies on child poverty on children in Scotland.

The Honourable Member will be aware of recent announcements about Best Start Family Hubs, free school meals and affordable childcare - actions made possible because of a budget he and his colleagues voted against. A key way to tackle poverty is through decent work which is why I'm proud that more than 4,000 workers in Dundee got a pay rise through this government’s plans to Make Work Pay. The Child Poverty Taskforce is considering all available levers to give every child the best start in life as part of the strategy.

How many Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority claims from Scottish applicants remain unresolved more than (a) 12, (b) 24 and (c) 36 months after a judicial‑review judgment quashing the original decision.

The table below shows the number of applications for criminal injuries compensation which are unresolved more than (a) 12 months, (b) 24 months, and (c) 36 months after the Court of Session quashed the decision of the First-tier Tribunal in judicial review proceedings.TimeNumber unresolved12 months to 24 months5 or fewerOver 24 months to 36 months5 or fewerOver 36 months5 or fewerThe Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 contains safeguards where an applicant is dissatisfied with the outcome of their application. All applicants have the right to request that their initial decision is reviewed by a different claims officer. If the applicant remains dissatisfied following review, they have the right to appeal to the independent First-tier Tribunal. Thereafter, an applicant can apply for ‘judicial review’ of the First-tier Tribunal’s decision. In Scotland, judicial review claims are heard by the Court of Session. In England & Wales, judicial review claims are heard by the Upper Tribunal.We have answered ‘5 or fewer’ to mitigate the risk of individuals being identifiable from our response.