Written questions by Jardine.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to prioritise issues concerning freedom of religion or belief in future Human Rights and Democracy Reports.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that Freedom of Religion and Belief is integrated into UK aid programmes that promote gender equality, the rights of disabled people and assistance to other groups in Central Asia.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made representations to the Government of Saudi Arabia on the application of the death penalty to child defendants.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 December 2025 in response to Question 97116. The UK continues to oppose the use of capital punishment in all circumstances.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her counterparts in Nigeria on protecting vulnerable communities.

The UK Government regularly advocates for the protections of all vulnerable communities with the Government of Nigeria and other influential parties. For example, during his visit to Nigeria in May, the former Minister for Africa met with ministers and officials to discuss insecurity and intercommunal violence in Nigeria, with a focus on tackling root causes. Additionally, the UK is working through programmes like SPRiNG (Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria) and the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership to promote peace, strengthen local institutions, and protect civilians.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to increase public awareness of changes to passport validity rules for UK travellers to the EU.

Before travelling overseas, we advise British Citizens to check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's travel advice on gov.uk. This includes entry requirements by country and advice on passport validity. Our travel industry partners amplify our travel advice to their customers through their channels.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Royal Medical Colleges on child (a) health and (b) rights in Gaza.

The Government remains deeply concerned about the impact of the conflict on children. While there have been no formal meetings with the Royal Medical Colleges on these issues, Ministers regularly engage with medical and humanitarian organisations and continue monitoring their assessments closely. In January 2025, the UK announced £17 million to support the delivery of food, healthcare and shelter via the United Nations Children's Fund, UK-Med and the World Health Organization. This included support for 14,000 children with education and welfare, and over 465,000 medical consultations, many involving paediatric care. We continue pressing for full humanitarian access, the protection of aid workers and remain committed to upholding children's rights in Gaza.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the meeting of the UK and Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council between 19 and 21 November 2024, what progress has been made on the implementation of public registers of beneficial ownership in the Overseas Territories.

Work is ongoing to improve beneficial ownership transparency in the Overseas Territories. At the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) in November 2024, the Falkland Islands and Saint Helena committed to join Montserrat and Gibraltar in implementing fully public registers by April 2025. The British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Anguilla and Turks and Caicos Islands agreed to implement registers of beneficial ownership, accessible to those with a legitimate interest, by June 2025. It remains our expectation that the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies will ultimately implement fully public registers.Every Territory is making progress towards these commitments and FCDO officials are in regular contact with counterparts in the Overseas Territories on their proposals for registers to ensure they meet the agreement made at JMC. I have and will continue to raise this directly with elected leaders across the Overseas Territories. I have recently spoken with the Premiers of BVI and Bermuda on this issue.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if the Government will take steps to re-establish a separate department for International Development.

As set out in the 2024 Labour Party manifesto, the Government's plans are to strengthen international development work within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to help (a) raise awareness of neglected tropical diseases and (b) tackle neglected tropical diseases.

The UK's new Eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis in Africa programme (ELFA), that will receive £15 million of funding from 2024-25 to 2026-27, supports the broader Reaching the Last Mile Fund initiative to eliminate the neglected tropical diseases lymphatic ...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Pakistani counterpart about (a) freedom of religion in that country and (b) the case of Ehsan Shan.

The UK condemns the persecution of religious minorities in Pakistan. I underlined the importance of promoting religious tolerance and harmony when I met with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister Azam Tarar on 19 November. On 20 November, I attended a meeting ...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to review bilateral development aid to India in the context of India’s continuing trade relationships with Russia.

The UK Government recognises India's long and historic relationship with Russia. The UK Government regularly raises Russia's actions in Ukraine with India. Most recently, the Foreign Secretary raised this with Indian External Affairs Minister in September...