Written questions by Mohamed.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact on her policies of the use of Israeli military courts in the occupied West Bank, including their compliance with international standards of due process and fair trial rights.

I refer the Hon Member to the joint statement issued by the Foreign Secretary and her counterparts from Australia, Germany, France, Italy, New Zealand on 29 March, which can be found on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-on-israels-death-penalty-bill-29-march-2026.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will hold discussions with her Israeli counterpart on the Penal Law (Amendment – Death Penalty for Terrorists), passed on 30 March 2026.

I refer the Hon Member to the joint statement issued by the Foreign Secretary and her counterparts from Australia, Germany, France, Italy, New Zealand on 29 March, which can be found on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-on-israels-death-penalty-bill-29-march-2026.

What consideration her Department has given to the findings and recommendations of relevant select committee inquiries on SEND provision when developing recent reform proposals.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of consultation undertaken in the development of proposed reforms to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities system, particularly in relation to proposals on the role of tribunals.

The department is consulting extensively on the full set of proposals set out in the ‘SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First’ consultation document, during the 12-week consultation period. We welcome and will carefully consider comments and representations on all aspects of the consultation paper and subjects related to the proposed reforms, including on the role of the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) tribunal.In addition to the online consultation, we are undertaking a national public engagement programme to ensure that families, practitioners and settings can engage meaningfully on the proposals. Ministers have established the SEND Development Group and the Complex Needs Group to provide expert challenge from local authorities, parent groups and campaigners.This engagement activity ensures broad, balanced and representative engagement while following consultation principles around transparency, accessibility and fairness.

Whether she has received representations on the (a) adequacy and (b) scope of consultation on SEND reforms; and what steps she has taken in response.

Listening to the views of families and experts has been critical as the department has developed special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms, and it is more important than ever now our formal consultation is open.As is set out clearly on GOV.UK, we welcome views across the full set of proposals relating to SEND reform and we will consider views on all aspects of SEND reform.

Whether any policy decisions relating to SEND reform were taken prior to the conclusion of formal consultation exercises; and whether stakeholders were informed where consultation did not extend to specific proposals.

Listening to the views of families and experts has been critical as the department has developed special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms, and it is more important than ever now our formal consultation is open.As is set out clearly on GOV.UK, we welcome views across the full set of proposals relating to SEND reform and we will consider views on all aspects of SEND reform.

Whether his Department plans to review the criterion of specially designed or modified for military use in the schedule 2 of the Export Control Order 2008.

The Government keeps UK export controls under constant review and export control legislation, including Schedule 2 of the Export Control Order 2008, is updated on a regular basis to remain compliant with our national and international obligations and commitments.Schedule 2 of the Export Control Order principally derives from the UK's international commitments under the Wassenaar Arrangement on conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, and thereby reflects the discussions and agreements reached with relevant partners. Any change would need therefore to be agreed internationally.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of political bodies seeking to override findings of independent judicial panels associated with the International Criminal Court on the upholding of international law.

The UK fully supports the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC's internal process to address the allegations of misconduct against the Prosecutor is still underway. That process follows Terms of Reference agreed by the ICC Bureau. The UK is not currently a member of that body. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she has taken to implement the Replacing animals in science strategy.

The strategy sets out a long‑term, cross‑government programme to accelerate the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, with clear delivery responsibilities assigned across government and partner organisations. Those responsible have begun delivery and the inaugural meeting of the cross‑government ministerial group established to oversee implementation has taken place. Several commitments, including the establishment of a preclinical translational models hub, are already well advanced. The Government plans to publish a delivery update, including key performance indicators, later in 2026.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) the International Criminal Court; (b) the International Court of Justice; and (c) the UN can discharge their duties and responsibilities without undue interference from other countries.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer he was provided on 11 March in response to Question 118062.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to members of the Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court on reports that the findings of an independent judicial panel into allegations concerning the Prosecutor are being disregarded.

The UK fully supports the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC's internal process to address the allegations of misconduct against the Prosecutor is still underway. That process follows Terms of Reference agreed by the ICC Bureau. The UK is not currently a member of that body. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.

Whether any UK-manufactured components not requiring export licences have been supplied to Israeli defence companies since October 2023.

The requirement for an export licence is set out in the Export Control Order 2008, Schedule 2 of which covers Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and parts thereof (under ML10). Export licence applications for all controlled goods, including UAV components specially designed or modified for military use, are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against strict assessment criteria, the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.Where licence applications include items that are not covered by the 2008 Order, exporters can be informed that no licence is required. Beyond such cases, by definition, the Department does not hold information on the export of items that fall outside of export controls. For goods export data, you should refer to HMRC, who publish UK trade in goods statistics by partner country and product which can be found on www.uktradeinfo.com.

What information his Department holds on the number of companies that have exported drone engines to military customers in Israel without requiring an export license.

The requirement for an export licence is set out in the Export Control Order 2008, Schedule 2 of which covers Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and parts thereof (under ML10). Export licence applications for all controlled goods, including UAV components specially designed or modified for military use, are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against strict assessment criteria, the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.Where licence applications include items that are not covered by the 2008 Order, exporters can be informed that no licence is required. Beyond such cases, by definition, the Department does not hold information on the export of items that fall outside of export controls. For goods export data, you should refer to HMRC, who publish UK trade in goods statistics by partner country and product which can be found on www.uktradeinfo.com.

What assessment his Department has made of whether dual-use components, including drone engines, should fall within the scope of export licensing requirements given the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.

The requirement for an export licence for military and dual-use items is set out in the Consolidated List of Strategic Military and Dual-Use Items that Require Export Authorisation.The dual-use list specifies, at entries 9A012 and 9A112, unmanned aerial vehicles and components that are subject to controls. These controls implement the UK’s commitments under the Wassenaar Arrangement and Missile Technology Control Regime. We keep these controls under regular review working with the international partners who operate similar regimes.

Innovation and Technology, when she plans to establish the Committee on Alternative Methods; and whether her Department plans to have a call for membership that enables participation from animal protection organisations alongside other relevant stakeholders.

The strategy commits to establishing a committee on alternative methods in 2026 and we have already commissioned the Animals in Science Committee for advice on the scope, governance and composition of such a committee.The Government already engages with stakeholders, including animal protection organisations, through a range of established forums to ensure the strategy remains science‑led, up to date, and focused on driving the development, validation and uptake of advanced non‑animal methods. This engagement will continue throughout strategy implementation.

Whether his Department has had recent discussions with UAV Engines Ltd on arms export licence requirements.

All companies seeking to export military or dual-use goods are subject to the export control requirements set out in the Export Control Order 2008 and accompanying guidance. All licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the UK’s Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) regularly correspond with exporters on their export licensing requirements. It is not the regular practice of the Department to publicise details of discussions with specific exporters in view of potential commercial sensitivities.

What steps his Department is taking to improve transparency in arms licensing.

The UK's Export Control regime is one of the most transparent in the world. Since this Government came into office, we have ensured publications of export licensing information are as timely as possible in order to aid public and Parliamentary scrutiny.The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) publishes a significant amount of information. This includes quarterly and annual statistics on export and trade control licensing decisions and supporting tools such as the publicly searchable database of licensing data. We have also periodically published additional information releases relating to specific exports and destinations, to support public and parliamentary scrutiny.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what contingency plans are in place to ensure UK nationals working in international judicial institutions remain able to perform their professional duties if they are subject to intimidation or sanctions.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer he was provided on 11 March in response to Question 118062.

Whether his Department has published guidance to companies on determining whether goods fall within military export control classifications.

Yes. Even a cursory internet search will show that we publish extensive guidance on the UK’s export control regime on GOV.UK. This includes information on the regulatory framework for strategic export controls, our lists of controlled items and the circumstances where exporters might need an export licence. There is also a ‘Goods Checker’ tool which exporters can use to establish if their items are controlled.If exporters are still in any doubt about the classification of their goods they can use the Control List Classification Service where specialists in the Export Control Joint Unit will provide a formal advisory classification against the UK control lists. Finally, an exporter should submit an application using our LITE system if they suspect an export licence may be required. We will assess the control status of the goods, and any relevant sanctions measures in place.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure UK-origin components are not used in military operations in breach of the UK’s export control criteria and international law.

That is the whole purpose of of Export Control system, which is one of the most robust export licensing regimes in the world. Exporters seeking to export controlled military or dual-use goods must seek an export licence before doing so, as set out in the Export Control Order 2008.Export licence applications are rigorously assessed by the Export Control Joint Unit against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, which includes consideration of the UK’s international and domestic commitments, including sanctions and where the UK has suspended exports of military equipment to certain destinations.