The Westminster lensArchive · Written questions · 639 tabled · 625 answered

Written questions by Stafford.

Every parliamentary written question tabled by Gregory Stafford this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.

Department:All (639)Department of Health and Social Care (165)Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (75)Treasury (66)Department for Education (58)Home Office (51)Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (46)Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (34)Department for Transport (32)Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (26)Department for Work and Pensions (17)Department for Business and Trade (16)Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (15)

Showing 120 of 46 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Page 1 of 3Next →
8 Jun 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of British International Investment’s use of public funds to support private equity activity on levels of wider retail pa

Reply

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) holds British International Investment (BII) to account for delivery of its five-year strategy through well-established governance arrangements. As part of these arrangements, the FCDO receives com...

5 Jun 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she has taken to ensure British International Investment’s use of taxpayer funds (a) provides value for money and (b) encourages wider retail share ownership.

Reply

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) holds British International Investment (BII) to account for delivery of its five-year strategy through well-established governance arrangements. As part of these arrangements, the FCDO receives com...

1 Jun 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and international partners on the protection and rebuilding of Christian religious

Reply

We are aware of this case. However, given these are private legal proceedings and they remain ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment. The UK is committed to championing freedom of religion or belief for all. No one should live in fear, or suffer ...

29 May 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the level of treatment of Ahmadi Muslim prisoners in Pakistan; and what steps she is taking to (a) advocate for their release and (b) to suppo

Reply

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 18 May in response to Question 1641.

19 May 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made on the potential merits of issuing travel guidance for people travelling to Uganda covering Ebola.

Reply

I refer the Hon. Member to my statement to the House on 21 May (HCWS60).

19 May 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of issuing travel guidance covering Ebola to people travelling to Uganda.

Reply

I refer the Hon Member to my statement to the House on 21 May (HCWS60).

14 May 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the treatment of Ahmadi Muslim prisoners of conscience in Pakistan.

Reply

The UK is concerned by the treatment of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan, including those detained for the peaceful exercise of their beliefs. We condemn the persecution of the Ahmadi community and continue to monitor the situation closely, including reports of...

14 May 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the UK Government is taking to advocate for the release of Ahmadi prisoners of conscience in Pakistan and to support freedom of religion or belief.

Reply

The UK is concerned by the treatment of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan, including those detained for the peaceful exercise of their beliefs. We condemn the persecution of the Ahmadi community and continue to monitor the situation closely, including reports of...

10 Apr 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what value for money assessment her Department has made of the expenditure of £14 million on the solar panel project in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Reply

In the press release issued to mark the launch of British International Investment (BII) by the former Foreign Secretary Liz Truss in November 2021, the previous government specifically stated: "[This] builds on the Prime Minister's commitments at COP26 to help developing countries take advantage of clean technology and grow their economies sustainably, with the BII delivering billions in climate financing for projects like solar power, sustainable transport and disaster-resilient infrastructure over the next 5 years."The investment in question will support delivery of a major new electrification project, led by a BII-owned company, which will provide a profitable return for UK investment, while also helping to prevent large-scale deforestation, reduce carbon emissions, and support stability in a conflict affected region. This is consistent with the UK's wider International Climate Finance strategy, established under the previous government.

10 Apr 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what criteria was used to allocate £14 million to the solar panel project in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Reply

In the press release issued to mark the launch of British International Investment (BII) by the former Foreign Secretary Liz Truss in November 2021, the previous government specifically stated: "[This] builds on the Prime Minister's commitments at COP26 to help developing countries take advantage of clean technology and grow their economies sustainably, with the BII delivering billions in climate financing for projects like solar power, sustainable transport and disaster-resilient infrastructure over the next 5 years."The investment in question will support delivery of a major new electrification project, led by a BII-owned company, which will provide a profitable return for UK investment, while also helping to prevent large-scale deforestation, reduce carbon emissions, and support stability in a conflict affected region. This is consistent with the UK's wider International Climate Finance strategy, established under the previous government.

11 Mar 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when will she provide a response to questions 118113, 118114 and 118115 tabled on 4th March 2026.

Reply

I apologise for the delay in responding to the Hon Member's questions. The answers were published on 16 March.

4 Mar 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to keep the gov.uk website regularly updated during the Middle East conflict.

Reply

The safety of British nationals remains the Government's top priority. I refer the Hon Member to the statement I gave to the House on 5 March, and the answers provided to questions raised in response. Assisted departures have now taken place from both Oman and Dubai. We will provide further updates on a regular basis, including details of our ongoing evacuation flights, as well as our efforts to secure an end to Iran's attacks on countries in the region, and the full resumption of normal commercial flights.

4 Mar 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support British nationals stranded due to the Middle East conflict with medical needs.

Reply

The safety of British nationals remains the Government's top priority. I refer the Hon Member to the statement I gave to the House on 5 March, and the answers provided to questions raised in response. Assisted departures have now taken place from both Oman and Dubai. We will provide further updates on a regular basis, including details of our ongoing evacuation flights, as well as our efforts to secure an end to Iran's attacks on countries in the region, and the full resumption of normal commercial flights.

4 Mar 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support and repatriate British nationals stranded away from home due to the Middle East conflict.

Reply

The safety of British nationals remains the Government's top priority. I refer the Hon Member to the statement I gave to the House on 5 March, and the answers provided to questions raised in response. Assisted departures have now taken place from both Oman and Dubai. We will provide further updates on a regular basis, including details of our ongoing evacuation flights, as well as our efforts to secure an end to Iran's attacks on countries in the region, and the full resumption of normal commercial flights.

13 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Indian counterpart on reported incidents of violence against Christian communities.

Reply

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 25 November 2025 in response to Question 90911.

5 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations the Government has made to the Government of India on the protection of freedom of religion or belief for religious minority communities, including their ability to participate in civil society.

Reply

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 25 November 2025 in response to Question 90911.

4 Dec 2025·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Ministers are considering sanctions against high ranking Georgian officials under the Chemical Weapons (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

Reply

I refer the Hon Member to the response given on 8 December 2025 to question 96635. We do not comment on potential future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact.

24 Nov 2025·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Mozambique counterpart on reports of targeted attacks on Christians in Nampula; and what diplomatic steps she is taking with international partners to help ensure their protection.

Reply

The UK is aware of a series of attacks by Islamic State Mozambique in Nampula. Our High Commission in Mozambique, in coordination with international partners, regularly engages with authorities and religious leaders as well as peacebuilding and humanitarian agencies both in the capital (Maputo) and Northern Mozambique, including Nampula, to address the problems of violence and instability. We also support partners to provide humanitarian assistance and to promote peacebuilding and resilience against violent extremism in the region.

18 Nov 2025·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if the Government will publish the terms or value of any financial settlement agreed in relation to Lord Mandelson’s cancelled appointment.

Reply

The Department does not publish details of individuals' cases. Lord Mandelson's withdrawal was subject to normal HR processes.

18 Nov 2025·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson will receive a financial settlement following the cancellation of his proposed five-year term as Ambassador to the United States.

Reply

The Department does not publish details of individuals' cases. Lord Mandelson's withdrawal was subject to normal HR processes.

Page 1 of 3Next →
Sources
SourceUK Parliament Members API
MethodQuestion and answer text as published. Question preamble (“To ask the…”) trimmed for readability; answers shown in full.