Written questions by Patel.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Joint Communique: UK-Mauritius Strategic Partnership Framework, published on 22 May 2025, from which budget the £12m Access to Climate Finance programme to be provided to Mauritius will come.

The UK established a Taskforce on Access to Climate Finance in 2021, and is currently working with six partner countries to mobilise finance, strengthen climate policy, drive capacity building and manage inclusive platforms to coordinate climate finance activities. Mauritius has been part of this programme since 2023. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is the funding department for the Taskforce on Access to Climate Finance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraph 3(b) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), if he will set out (a) how many locations fall within paragraph 3(b) of Annex 1, (b) which department of the Government of Mauritius will be informed of the locations, and (c) whether the Agreement binds the Government of Mauritius to keep those locations confidential.

There are a range of vital facilities and capabilities on the base on Diego Garcia and the surrounding area that keep the UK and our allies safe. Many of these are too sensitive to be discussed publicly.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraphs 7 to 9 of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), if he will set out the rights his Department will have to monitor such activities; and how much funding will be allocated to monitor such activities over the next ten years.

The Treaty ensures that the UK can monitor and notify Mauritius of activities which risk conflict with obligations in Article 3 (2)(b). As the Treaty notes, the UK can provide written reasons as to why this activity may be against treaty obligations, and escalate this to political level for urgent consultations.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraph 3(b) of Letter No.1 of the Exchange of letters concerning implementation and interpretation of Article 11 of the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, dated 22 May 2025, of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whether his Department will determine the eligibility of projects for grant funding through the development framework.

Full details of the mechanisms of use for the development framework grant will be agreed between the UK and Mauritius during the implementation period, before the first payment of the grant in year 4 of the Agreement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Written Statement of 16 November 2016 on British Indian Ocean Territory, columns 11WS-12WS, what his policy is on the £40 million fund for Chagossians.

Of the £40 million ten-year commitment made by the 2016 Conservative Government, only £1.6 million was spent by the time this government came into power in July 2024. This government will take a new approach to ensure projects are fully informed by the needs of Chagossians, engaging more closely with the community when considering the design of projects.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the provisions in Article 5(2) of the UK-Mauritius Treaty (CP 1334), what steps he is taking to protect the status of the current marine protected area; when he plans to publish the separate written instrument; and whether he has made an assessment of the merits of Mauritius placing restrictions on marine activities around (a) 12 nautical miles and (b) 24 nautical miles of Diego Garcia.

UK support to Mauritius to establish and manage the Chagos Archipelago Marine Protected Area will be agreed by the Parties by a separate written instrument as part of the implementation of the Agreement. Under the agreement, the UK shall be responsible for environmental protection on Diego Garcia and the surrounding 12 nautical miles. This shall be undertaken in accordance with applicable international law, and with due regard to applicable Mauritian environmental laws, but Mauritius will not be able to place environmental restrictions on marine activities within that area. Beyond 12 nautical miles, the UK shall provide support and assistance to Mauritius in the establishment and management of a Marine Protected Area. This support shall be agreed before entry into force of the treaty. Between 12 and 24 nautical miles, no construction, installations, structures or sensors can be installed without the UK's agreement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he had discussions with his counterpart in Pakistan on (a) terrorist infrastructure and (b) plans to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan during his visit on 16 May 2025.

The UK and Pakistan share a strong mutual interest in countering terrorism. We are committed to working together to combat the terrorist threat and the extremism that sustains it. During his meeting with his Pakistani counterpart on 16 May, the Foreign Secretary emphasised that taking decisive action against terrorism and those who perpetrate it is a vital component of Pakistan's commitment to regional stability.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Hamas have links with (a) other proscribed terrorist groups and (b) Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The UK assesses Hamas in its entirety to be concerned in terrorism and therefore as of 26 November 2021 has proscribed the organisation in full. The UK condemns Hamas' continued attacks against civilians which are unacceptable and unjustifiable. It is entirely appropriate that we take all available opportunities to strengthen the UK's response to both domestic and international threats. This includes closely monitoring groups which Hamas has close ties with. The UK has long retained a policy of no contact with Hamas and an asset freeze against the entirety of the group.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 given to Question 48885 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Development Aid, whether (a) British Chagossians will be represented in the governance structures of the proposed Chagossian Trust Fund and (b) provisions on the proposed Chagossian Trust Fund will be included as binding provisions within the proposed Treaty with Mauritius; and how long the proposed Chagossian Trust Fund will be in operation for.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the response given to her previous Question 32980 on the details of the Treaty.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what dates Mauritian negotiators have met with officials to discuss the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory since July 2024.

Discussions between the UK and Mauritius on securing the vital base on Diego Garcia and on the future exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory remain ongoing. It is not appropriate to provide a running commentary on engagement between UK and Mauritian officials. We will continue to work closely with Mauritius to conclude a deal that is in both sides' shared interests.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 45603 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Redundancy, what estimate he has made of the annual salary cost savings of the 500 exits.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has estimated that the Voluntary Exit Scheme could result in annual savings of £35-40 million. The Scheme is still in progress, with exits taking place by the end of this Financial Year. We do not yet know how many staff will accept Voluntary Exit, or the profile of the staff who will leave, which will have an impact on the savings achieved.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on proposals for an ecocide law.

Tackling the climate and nature emergency is a priority for this Government. The UK has strong regulations to protect the environment and contravention of many of these is a criminal offence. At the international level, we are aware of the proposal by Vanuatu to recognise ecocide as an international crime under the Rome Statute, in addition to the environmental protections the Statute already provides during armed conflict. We welcome the leadership shown by Pacific Island States on environmental issues and will consider this proposal in cooperation with all of our international partners.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2025 to Question 36633 on China: Audit, when he plans to publish the China Audit; which Departments he has had discussions with on that audit; if he will publish the terms of reference for that audit; and whether that audit will include national security considerations.

The China Audit will conclude shortly. In line with the Government's manifesto commitment, the Audit has involved extensive consultations with hundreds of individuals, organisations, academic institutions, businesses and public bodies, including all central government departments and the Devolved Governments. National security considerations are central to the audit. It will improve the UK's ability to understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities China poses.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate he has made of the costs of diplomatic engagement with Mauritius since 5 July 2024.

We are unable to provide an estimate of the overall costs of diplomatic engagement with any single country. Diplomatic engagement takes place through a range of different activities and forums, and may include bilateral in-person engagement, virtual meetings, or visits; activities in multilateral forums or public events; or the operations of UK embassies and High Commissions. It may also include a wide range of timescales, geographic locations, interlocutors, and government departments.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much UK funded aid is awaiting entry into Gaza.

UK aid includes both goods and services delivered through UN agencies and international Non-Governmental Organizations. Quantifying how much is awaiting entry into Gaza is difficult, due to the complex operating environment and limited real-time data. On 19 May the UK, France and Canada stated Israel's announcement to allow basic quantity of food into Gaza is inadequate and called for immediate humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. 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. Some UK-funded partners are active inside Gaza; others deliver assistance from the West Bank.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress he has made on the (a) capitalisation of the proposed Chagossian Trust Fund, (b) developing the governance arrangements for he proposed Chagossian Trust Fund and (c) presenting details of his total funding commitment to the proposed Chagossian Trust Fund.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the response given to her previous Parliamentary Question 39402 on the details of the Treaty.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many Government officials have been involved in the negotiations with Mauritius over the proposed treaty on the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory since 5 July 2024.

It would be difficult to assess how many officials are working on the negotiations, given that we do not record and measure the amount of time spent on any one topic where an official covers a range of matters.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much his Department spent on on (a) business hospitality, (b) grant in aid to arms length bodies, (c) recruitment, (d) transport equipment costs, (e) travel and (f) IT and communications in 2024-25; and how much has been budgeted for the 2025-26 financial year.

The department spend for 2024/25 is still subject to audit and therefore may change. At the time of responding, we estimate the spend to be:ABusiness Hospitality£10.5 millionCRecruitment£1.2 millionDTransport equipment£6.4 millionETravel£84.9 millionFIT and comms£217.1 millionFinal spends and part (b) grant in aid to arms length bodies for 2024/25 will be confirmed in the Annual Report & Accounts (ARA), due to be published in July.The department is still working on budget allocations for 2025/26, therefore cannot respond on those figures yet.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will publish his response to the representations his Department has received from Chagossians on the potential resettlement of parts of the Chagos Archipelago under the proposed treaty with Mauritius.

We will engage with Chagossians in the UK, and around the world on the implementation of the agreement at both an official and Ministerial level. We do not provide a running commentary on correspondence that is sent to individuals or organisations by Ministers and officials on this issue.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what mechanisms are in place for the (a) renewal and (b) changes to the costs of the proposed lease with Mauritius towards the end of the initial 99-year period.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the response given to her previous Question 39402 on the details of the Treaty.