Written questions by Smith.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the report by MSF entitled The Illusion of Choice: Rohingya Voices Echo From the Camps, published in September 2025.

The main solution to the Rohingya crisis is safe, dignified and voluntary repatriation to Myanmar. This is the focus of the UK's diplomatic efforts. While conditions for return do not currently exist, we continue to work to ensure that the Rohingya can live in safety and dignity while they remain in Bangladesh.The UK is working through local partners to address the humanitarian situation in the Rohingya camps and closely monitoring levels of need and security. We regularly engage the Interim Government of Bangladesh on security in and around the camps and actions to improve the protection environment.In September, the Foreign Secretary announced £27 million of new funding, bringing the UK's total support to £447 million. This includes support to help refugees build skills for the future and reduce reliance on aid.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with her counterpart in Bangladesh on reports that Rohingya refugees are being forced to pay bribes at official checkpoints when seeking healthcare at facilities outside refugee camps.

The main solution to the Rohingya crisis is safe, dignified and voluntary repatriation to Myanmar. This is the focus of the UK's diplomatic efforts. While conditions for return do not currently exist, we continue to work to ensure that the Rohingya can live in safety and dignity while they remain in Bangladesh.The UK is working through local partners to address the humanitarian situation in the Rohingya camps and closely monitoring levels of need and security. We regularly engage the Interim Government of Bangladesh on security in and around the camps and actions to improve the protection environment.In September, the Foreign Secretary announced £27 million of new funding, bringing the UK's total support to £447 million. This includes support to help refugees build skills for the future and reduce reliance on aid.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with her international counterparts on the resettlement of Rohingya refugees to third countries.

The main solution to the Rohingya crisis is safe, dignified and voluntary repatriation to Myanmar. This is the focus of the UK's diplomatic efforts. While conditions for return do not currently exist, we continue to work to ensure that the Rohingya can live in safety and dignity while they remain in Bangladesh.The UK is working through local partners to address the humanitarian situation in the Rohingya camps and closely monitoring levels of need and security. We regularly engage the Interim Government of Bangladesh on security in and around the camps and actions to improve the protection environment.In September, the Foreign Secretary announced £27 million of new funding, bringing the UK's total support to £447 million. This includes support to help refugees build skills for the future and reduce reliance on aid.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2025 to Question 74771 on Jimmy Lai, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the support her Department has provided to the British citizens named as co-conspirators in the trial of Jimmy Lai.

I refer the hon. member to the amended answer given to Question 74771.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with international partners on the ongoing detention of (a) Pastor Kim Jung-Wook, (b) Missionary Kim Kook-kie and (c) Missionary Choi Chun-gil in North Korea; and whether she is taking diplomatic steps to ensure their release.

Defending the right to freedom of religion or belief is a key strand of our human rights strategy in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the UK regularly raises its concerns about these issues both bilaterally via the embassy in London and in multilateral fora. On 23 September 2025, our Human Rights Ambassador issued a statement at the UN Human Rights Council calling on the DPRK to engage meaningfully with the international community on human rights issues.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to the Eritrean authorities concerning the enforced disappearance and harassment of (a) religious leaders and (b) human rights defenders; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure their protection against transnational repression.

We continue to raise the issue of human rights with the Eritrean government, both through our Embassy in Asmara and through multilateral fora. We advocate for the end of all discriminatory detentions based on religion or belief, as we have stated at the UN Human Rights Council, and call for all those unjustly incarcerated to be released, including human rights defenders. The UK supports the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Eritrea, voting in favour of his mandate renewal in July 2025. We previously called upon Eritrea to address allegations and concerns surrounding activities which could be identified as transnational repression (TNR), including at the UN Human Rights Council in February 2025. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) recently took part in a cross-government review of TNR and will continue to monitor this issue.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to integrate biogas into its circular-economy strategy.

This Government is committed to transitioning towards a circular economy and has convened a Circular Economy Taskforce of experts to help develop the first ever Circular Economy Strategy for England, which we plan to publish for consultation later in the year. As we develop the strategy, we will consider the evidence for action right across the economy, and alongside the Circular Economy Taskforce we will assess what interventions may be needed regarding biogas. The government has already taken steps to support the production of biogas from waste. As part of Simpler Recycling, in England food waste collections are required from all workplaces (except micro-firms), from all households by 31st March 2026 and from all micro-firms (with less than 10 FTE) from 31st March 2027. This must always be collected separately from residual waste and dry recyclable materials. Collecting food waste separately from residual waste allows us to send it for treatment via anaerobic digestion (AD) or composting. This reduces the amount of food waste going to landfill, where it releases harmful greenhouse gases and, helping to achieve our Net Zero strategy target to eliminate biodegradable waste sent to landfill from 2028. We forecast Simpler Recycling will increase the amount of food waste collected in England for recycling or composting by 100% to 4.8Mt by 2035. This will provide increased feedstock for anaerobic digestion, supporting Government initiatives to support the AD sector. The Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) provides tariff-support for biomethane produced via anaerobic digestion and injected into the gas grid. The scheme requires 50% of biomethane (by energy content) to be produced from wastes and residues, which is expected to support treatment of increased tonnage of food waste. In February 2024 DESNZ issued a call for evidence (CfE) to assess the barriers to growth in the sector and the options available to address them. DESNZ is considering the responses received and are developing policy options on a future framework that supports growth in the sector while managing environmental risks effectively.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the role of anaerobic digestion to secure rural economic growth.

British farmers are world-leaders and know their own land best - carefully planning their planting to suit the weather, their soil type, and their long-term agronomic strategy. It is not Government policy to determine which crops farmers should prioritise to include in their crop rotation. We will continue to support farmers, so they can make the right decisions for them and the productivity of their land. The demand for UK produced crops is subject to global market prices and supply. Crop varieties grown in the UK can be of a specification for food, feed and bioenergy standards, so that there is in-built flexibility for farmers to ensure an end-use market for their product. The development of anaerobic digestion plants creates jobs and economic growth. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s most recent analysis shows that over two thirds of existing biomethane anaerobic digestion plants are located in rural areas. Biomethane production via anaerobic digestion is currently supported by the Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS). It is estimated that when taking into account both direct and indirect jobs, the GGSS could support up to 1,600 jobs per annum during the construction phase of plants, and up to 1,000 jobs during the lifetime of the plants (assumed to be 20 years).

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to encourage crop-based biomethane to support regenerative farming practices.

British farmers are world-leaders and know their own land best - carefully planning their planting to suit the weather, their soil type, and their long-term agronomic strategy. It is not Government policy to determine which crops farmers should prioritise to include in their crop rotation. We will continue to support farmers, so they can make the right decisions for them and the productivity of their land.The Government currently supports biomethane production through the Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS). The GGSS will close for new applications in Spring 2028, and the Government is planning to consult on policy options for a future framework for biomethane during financial year 2025/26.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support his Department has offered to British citizens accused of being co-conspirators in the closing days of the trial of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong; and what assessment his Department has made of the risks to (a) those people and (b) others named in the trial.

The prosecution in Jimmy Lai's politically motivated trial has sought to highlight Mr Lai'srelationships with foreign nationals, including British nationals. The naming of Britishnationals in this manner is unacceptable. If individuals named in any overseas trial haveconcerns, we advise them to seek independent legal advice.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he last raised the case of Jimmy Lai with US counterparts.

This Government welcomes US President Trump's public support for Jimmy Lai. Mr. Lai's case remains an utmost priority; his prosecution is politically motivated, and he should be released. The Foreign Secretary and her officials remain in regular contact with the US Government on this matter.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Russia on the airstrike on the Dnipro Theological Seminary of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine; and what diplomatic steps he is is taking to (a) support the protection of religious minorities and (b) uphold freedom of religion or belief in Ukraine.

We are deeply disturbed by the impact of Russia's illegal war on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), as well as the damage done to places of worship and religious significance. Ukraine's democracy is well known for its commitment to religious pluralism. The UK regularly engages with Ukrainian religious groups and the Government of Ukraine on this issue, including on Law 8371 which mandates that religious organisations must cut ties with the Russian Orthodox Church - Moscow Patriarchate in response to clear national security threats. In February, a delegation of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches met Parliamentarians and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials to discuss religious persecution in the temporarily occupied territories.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions officials have had with Chinese officials on the application to develop Royal Mint Court into a new Chinese embassy.

The planning application has been called in by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Ministers in MHCLG will make this decision independent from the rest of Government in their quasi-judicial capacity. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials speak regularly with the Chinese officials about a range of issues.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) deliver humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations in Myanmar's conflict zones outside military control and (b) avoid (i) legitimising and (ii) empowering the military regime.

Since the 2021 coup, the UK has provided more than £190 million in life-saving humanitarian assistance, emergency healthcare and education support, and support to civil society. No UK funds go to the Myanmar military, and we work through local partners to reach populations most in need, including in areas beyond military control. Through our Humanitarian Programme in Myanmar, we have reached 1.3 million people since 2022 in conflict affected areas with essential humanitarian support.The UK continues to hold the Myanmar military regime to account and has sanctioned 25 individuals and 39 entities targeting the regime's access to finance, arms and equipment, including ten sanctions targeting import of aviation fuel into Myanmar.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to the Estonian Government on their plans to ban the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church.

I am not aware of any plans by Estonia's government to ban the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church. The revised wording of Estonia's proposed Churches and Congregations Act Amendment simply states that religious organisations must not have links to religious organisations or leaders abroad that threaten the national security of Estonia; it does not give the Estonian government the power to ban religious organisations. The Foreign Secretary has had no discussions with the Estonians on the matter. The UK is committed to promoting the freedom of religious belief for all and we work closely with international partners, including through the Article 18 Alliance, of which Estonia is a member, to champion freedom of religious belief around the world.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to the Estonian Government on the importance of defending and promoting freedom of religion in Estonia, in the context of the Government’s plans to ban the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church.

I am not aware of any plans by Estonia's government to ban the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church. The revised wording of Estonia's proposed Churches and Congregations Act Amendment simply states that religious organisations must not have links to religious organisations or leaders abroad that threaten the national security of Estonia; it does not give the Estonian government the power to ban religious organisations. The Foreign Secretary has had no discussions with the Estonians on the matter. The UK is committed to promoting the freedom of religious belief for all and we work closely with international partners, including through the Article 18 Alliance, of which Estonia is a member, to champion freedom of religious belief around the world.

What discussions she has had with the Metropolitan Police on (a) the space available for and (b) policing of protests at the site of the old Royal Mint, in the context of proposals to build a new Chinese Embassy on that site.

The management and safety of demonstrations is an operational matter for the police.The Metropolitan Police Service have provided their assessment of the potential management of protests outside Royal Mint Court in their publicly available submission to the Planning Inquiry on 10 February 2025.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the findings of the Global Rights Compliance report entitled Risk at the Source: Critical Mineral Supply Chains and State-Imposed Forced Labour in the Uyghur Region, published on 11 June 2025.

This government will continue to speak up on human rights in China, including the repression of people in Xinjiang, and will continue to hold China to account.The new Critical Minerals Strategy will help secure the supply of critical minerals vital for the UK's economic growth and clean energy transition. The strategy will promote responsible and transparent supply chains, including through greater adoption of responsible business practices to protect local communities and the environment.We will continue to assess and monitor the effectiveness of the UK's existing measures, alongside the impacts of new policy tools, to ensure we can best promote responsible business practices and take action where appropriate.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information his Department holds on the extent of (a) financial and (b) military assistance provided to the military regime in Myanmar by (i) China and (ii) Russia; and what steps is he taking to help counter this influence.

The UK is clear that countries should not sell arms or provide financial assistance to the Myanmar military regime as this will only lead to greater instability and violence. UK sanctions include a comprehensive arms embargo on Myanmar. We note that in resolution 2669 (2022) UN Security Council members, including China and Russia, expressed deep concern at all forms of violence across Myanmar and attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. Despite this, we are aware of reports of ongoing support to the military regime. The UK has been clear with partners, in public and in private, that it is unacceptable to sell arms to the Myanmar military.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to restrict access to (a) international banking, (b) insurance and (c) other sources of financial support by the military regime in Myanmar.

The UK is considering a range of further measures to hold the military regime in Myanmar to account. It would not be appropriate to speculate about future sanctions as to do so could reduce their impact. It is vital that any sanctions imposed have the desired effect of constraining the regime's access to finance, arms and equipment. The UK remains committed to targeted sanctions, which directly impact the military without harming the wider population.