Written questions by Patel.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Written Statement HCWS451 of 13 February 2025 on Syria Sanctions, if he will list the Syria Regulations he is planning to change; and what conditions he plans to apply to the Government of Syria in relation to the relaxation of sanctions.

As my statement to the House on 10 March made clear, the interim Syrian authorities must ensure the protection of all Syrians and to make progress towards an inclusive political transition. We will judge them by their actions, not their words.On 6 March, the Government lifted asset freezes on 24 Syrian entities that were previously used by the Assad regime to fund the oppression of the Syrian people, including the Central Bank of Syria. This follows the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation publishing on 12 February a General Licence, allowing payments that support humanitarian assistance in Syria. Sanctions remain in place against the Assad family, their associates, and those complicit in committing atrocities.We keep our sanctions under close review. Where there are changes to the Syria Regulations, Members of Parliament will have the opportunity to debate in line with the made affirmative procedure for sanctions Statutory Instruments.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when his next scheduled meeting is with representatives of the Chinese Government.

On 13 February, the Foreign Secretary met the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, in London. The Foreign Secretary does not have any further meetings scheduled with representatives of the Chinese Government at this point.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many (a) meetings and (b) discussions (i) he and (ii) Ministers from his Department have had with their Mauritian counterparts since July 2024.

The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary met the then Mauritian Prime Minister in London on 23 July 2024, and negotiating rounds led to political agreement between the Prime Minister and then Mauritian Prime Minister on 3 October 2024. The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for BIOT negotiations, Jonathan Powell, and Prime Minister Ramgoolam met on 25 November 2024. The Attorney General met with the Mauritian Attorney General on 16 January 2025, and I also had a separate call with the Mauritian AG on this date. The Prime Minister spoke with Prime Minister Ramgoolam on 31 January 2025. This engagement has been supplemented by numerous official level meetings, and joint statements from the UK and Mauritian governments were issued on 20 December 2024 and 13 January 2025. We do not hold a centralised list of all meetings relating to Chagos sovereignty, and the number of such meetings, and Ministers and senior officials involved, would make it disproportionately costly to put such a list together.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many counter proposals the Government has received from the Mauritian Government on the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory since 3 October 2024.

It would not have been, nor would it be appropriate to provide a running commentary on private negotiations, not least given the national security issues involved. When the treaty text is finalised and agreed, it will be laid before Parliament, which will be the right time for scrutiny and discussion.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government has agreed any changes to (a) the proposed treaty and (b) financial arrangements connected to the agreement with Mauritius announced on 3 October 2024 on the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory.

In the house I have said repeatedly that I will not provide a running commentary on this matter. We have reached an agreement with Mauritius, but the final text of the proposed treaty, as well as the financial arrangements are still being finalised and it is only when they are concluded that we will be in a position to put them before Parliament, in line with the normal procedures, for scrutiny and debate.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many (a) meetings and (b) discussions (i) the Prime Minister and (ii) his officials have had with their Mauritian counterparts since July 2024.

Ministerial meetings with external organisations will be published in the usual way on gov.uk.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date the new US Administration began formal consideration of the proposed treaty with Mauritius.

We shared the proposed treaty with the new US Administration. Internal processes for the US Administration are for them to speak to.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has received from his Mauritian counterpart since 15 January 2025.

The Foreign Secretary has received no direct representations from his Mauritian counterpart since 15 January.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support his Department provides to organisations working to protect the (a) rights and (b) safety of the Ahmadi Muslim community in Pakistan.

Promoting the rights of religious minorities is an important part of the UK's diplomatic engagement in Pakistan. I raised Ahmadi rights when I met Pakistan's Human Rights Minister on 19 November in Pakistan and discussed this issue in Parliament on 28 November. The British High Commission continues to raise the issue of safety for the Ahmadi community at the highest levels, including the need to respond swiftly to incidents of violence. UK officials routinely speak with civil society groups in Pakistan and the UK to better understand the issues affecting the Ahmadi community and inform our engagements with the Pakistani authorities. UK programming also brings together influential community and faith leaders and minority representatives to promote interfaith harmony.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the displacement of people in Syria since December 2024.

The UK continues to monitor displacement in Syria and provide vital assistance to support those displaced inside Syria and across the region. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that over one million people have been internally displaced in Syria since 27 November 2024. As of 30 January, the UN's Refugee Agency, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), estimate that some 237,000 Syrians have returned to Syria. Since the fall of Assad, the UK has announced a further £61 million in humanitarian assistance to support vulnerable Syrians inside Syria and across the region.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he last discussed the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory with the (a) US and (b) Mauritius government.

The Foreign Secretary last spoke to the US Secretary of State on 27 January where they discussed a range of shared UK/US priorities, including the long-term protection of the base on Diego Garcia. Officials and Ministers have regular engagement with Mauritius on the deal, most recently during a phone call on 31 January between the Prime Minister and Mauritian Prime Minister Ramgoolam.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to (a) support the rights of (i) minority groups and (ii) women and girls and (b) promote religious freedoms in Syria since the appointment of an interim President on 29 January 2025.

The Foreign Secretary met interim Syrian Foreign Minister al Sheibani on 12 January and stressed the need for an inclusive political transition. In our engagement with the interim Syrian authorities, we have consistently advocated for an inclusive political process and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all civilians, including women and religious and ethnic minorities. The UK Special Representative for Syria reiterated these points during her visit to Damascus on 29 January.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what aid he plans to deliver to Syria in 2025.

The UK continues to provide vital support to those in need in Syria and Syrians across the region. We pledged more than £250 million in 2024, and in December 2024, we announced a further £61 million in support. Through the United Nations and international non-governmental organisations, we are providing food, healthcare, protection, and other life-saving assistance. Financial year 2025/2026 budgets are under consideration by FCDO Ministers.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how funding to UNRWA announced in (a) July 2024 and (b) December 2024 has been spent; and whether conditions were imposed on funding provided to UNRWA since July 2024.

The UK has committed £41 million for United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) this financial year, to deliver essential services for civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, and to Palestinian refugees across the region. On 19 July 2024, the Foreign Secretary announced £21 million towards UNRWA's Flash Humanitarian Appeal for Gaza and the West Bank, which focuses its resources on emergency food, shelter, and other support, as well as its wider work supporting Palestinian refugees across the region. £1 million of this funding was earmarked for implementing the recommendations of Catherine Colonna's Independent Review. On 2 December 2024, The Minister of State for Development announced a further £7 million funding towards UNRWA's Flash Humanitarian Appeal for Gaza. On 13 December, the Prime Minister committed to an additional £13 million to UNRWA to support vital services for Palestinian refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the region. A Memorandum of Understanding governs UK financial support to UNRWA. We continue to monitor UNRWA's activity through due diligence and annual assessments.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help prevent (a) arms, (b) drugs and (c) people trafficking through Syria.

We are taking a regional approach to help prevent arms, drugs and people trafficking networks through Syria. Our efforts include support to the Lebanese and Jordanian Armed Forces to tackle more effectively incursions by drugs and weapons smugglers from Syria, and we provide support to the Government of Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Government to respond to threats posed by serious organised crime groups, including those operating in Syria.Additionally, we are working with international partners to raise awareness and take action on the risks posed by the captagon industry, which fuels regional instability and generates vast revenues for criminal gangs and armed groups in Syria and across the region.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information his Department holds on the number of reports of Hamas using UNRWA facilities.

The Prime Minister was pleased to speak with Emily Damari on 31 January and was deeply moved by her personal story. We are aware of the various reports since 7 October 2023 of Hamas using the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) facilities. UNRWA Commissioner General Phillipe Lazzarini has since stated that UNRWA takes any such allegations extremely seriously, and that UNRWA was forced to vacate all its installations in the north of Gaza Strip, including Gaza City, on 13 October 2023. We welcome the fact that UNRWA has said there should be independent investigations into any misuse of its facilities by Palestinian armed militants, including Hamas. Furthermore, following Catherine Colonna's Independent Review of Mechanisms and Procedures to Ensure Adherence by UNRWA to the Humanitarian Principle of Neutrality, UNRWA set out an action plan with detailed management reforms. As the Minister for Development told the House on 28 January, she has discussed the issue of neutrality with UNRWA's leadership, including directly with Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini. She also spoke to UNRWA staff members on their work to implement the recommendations of the Colonna report during her visit to the region on 3-5 December.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the use of UNRWA facilities by Hamas since 7 October 2023.

The Prime Minister was pleased to speak with Emily Damari on 31 January and was deeply moved by her personal story. We are aware of the various reports since 7 October 2023 of Hamas using the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) facilities. UNRWA Commissioner General Phillipe Lazzarini has since stated that UNRWA takes any such allegations extremely seriously, and that UNRWA was forced to vacate all its installations in the north of Gaza Strip, including Gaza City, on 13 October 2023. We welcome the fact that UNRWA has said there should be independent investigations into any misuse of its facilities by Palestinian armed militants, including Hamas. Furthermore, following Catherine Colonna's Independent Review of Mechanisms and Procedures to Ensure Adherence by UNRWA to the Humanitarian Principle of Neutrality, UNRWA set out an action plan with detailed management reforms. As the Minister for Development told the House on 28 January, she has discussed the issue of neutrality with UNRWA's leadership, including directly with Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini. She also spoke to UNRWA staff members on their work to implement the recommendations of the Colonna report during her visit to the region on 3-5 December.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he shared with the US Administration a copy of the proposed Treaty with Mauritius over the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory.

We shared the proposed treaty with the new US Administration upon their taking office. Our primary goal throughout negotiations is to protect the joint UK-US military base in Diego Garcia, which plays a crucial role in regional and international security. The UK has been working in lockstep with the US since the start of negotiations in 2022, including under the previous Conservative government. Given Diego Garcia's status as a key strategic asset, it is right that the new US Administration has the chance to consider the agreement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Prime Minister discussed proposals to (a) reduce the length of term of the proposed lease and (b) make changes to the financial arrangements for the proposed terms of the lease of the military base at Diego Garcia agreed with the Mauritius Government on 3 October 2024 during his phone call with the Prime Minister of Mauritius on 31 January 2025.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the read-out of their meeting on gov.uk.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the announcement of the appointment of an interim president in Syria; and whether he recognises that position as a Head of State.

On 29 January, Ahmed Al-Sharaa was announced as Syrian President for a transitional period. We welcome Al Sharaa's announcement that he will form an inclusive transitional Government, leading to free and fair elections. This is a critical moment for Syria's transition and we will continue to judge Al Sharaa on his actions.