Every parliamentary written question tabled by Richard Holden this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 77 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 26 May 2026 to Question 1715, if she will make an estimate of the number of oil tankers required annually to transport Russian crude oil used in the production of jet fuel to third countries, then imported to the UK in the context of changes to planned sanctions, including vessels identified as part of the Russian shadow fleet.
Awaiting answer.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support Somaliland in achieving (a) international recognition and (b) membership of the Commonwealth.
Awaiting answer.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 13 April 2026 to Question 123722, what meetings with a) officials and b) ministers are scheduled.
Awaiting answer.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, where the G20 Summit in 2027 will take place.
Details of next year's UK-hosted G20 summit will be announced in the usual way in due course.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has considered imposing targeted sanctions on Russian judges, prosecutors and other officials involved in the prosecution and sentencing of Ukrainian prisoners of war, including members of the Azov Brigade, in cases where convictions are alleged to have relied on confessions extracted under torture.
Awaiting answer.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking with international partners to secure International Committee of the Red Cross access to Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russia, including access for the purposes of registration, welfare monitoring and communication with families.
Russia must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions, in its treatment of prisoners of war. Under the Geneva Conventions, all parties must allow the International Committee of the Red Cross safe, unimpeded, and repeated access to prisoners of war wherever they are held, including for registration, monitoring of treatment and conditions, and enabling communication with families. We continue to raise these issues on a regular basis in international fora, and with our international partners.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the use of a Russian shadow fleet to evade oil sanctions; and whether she (a) plans to restrict access to UK ports and services for such vessels and (b) is considering further sanctions on entities providing (i) insurance and (ii) financial services.
Awaiting answer.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations she has made to her Russian counterpart on reports by the UN Monitoring Mission in Ukraine that 95 per cent of Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russia have been subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
The UK continues to raise our serious concerns about these reports of widespread torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war on the international stage. We strongly condemn any torture or ill-treatment of prisoners of war, and we continue to make clear that such actions violate international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has had discussions with Inter Mediate on de-sanctioning the Syrian regime since 4 July 2024.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer he was given on 3 June 2025 on the last occasion he asked this question (UIN 52690).
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made representations to the Council of Europe regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
We continue to work closely with the Council of Europe on a number of Ukraine-related initiatives, including the proposed establishment of the Claims Commission for Ukraine and the Special Tribunal on Crimes of Aggression Against Ukraine. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UK has consistently raised Russia's aggression and its consequences within the Council of Europe, including at the Committee of Ministers and through engagement with the Secretary General.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps HM Government is taking to prepare for the G20 Summit in 2027.
Work is progressing in the normal way and further details will be confirmed in due course.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans her Department has to hold (a) discussions and (b) summits with the Government of South Africa on providing it with (i) aid and (ii) development.
Ministers and officials in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continue to work closely with their South African counterparts on a wide range of issues.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information their Department holds on (a) the proportion of tyres procured that were re-tread tyres for (i) Department-operated and (ii) commercially contracted heavy vehicle fleets, including lorries, buses and refuse vehicles and (b) the volume of tyres procured for those fleets that were single-use imported tyres in the last 12 months; and whether such information is held centrally or by individual contractors.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not hold or collate the information requested. The Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994, set out requirements for re-treaded tyres, as well as brand new tyres. Consumers can be confident in the safety of any tyre that complies with these requirements.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the cost per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent abated as a result of its UK estate Net Zero measures.
The Hon Member can find details of all programmes supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), including those related to climate change, at the Development Tracker website on GOV.UK. Where available, details of additional expenditure incurred in meeting the FCDO's net zero commitments is set out in the department's annual report and accounts.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much her Department has spent on external consultants and advisers in relation to Net Zero, sustainability and climate reporting since 4 July 2024.
The Hon Member can find details of all programmes supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), including those related to climate change, at the Development Tracker website on GOV.UK. Where available, details of additional expenditure incurred in meeting the FCDO's net zero commitments is set out in the department's annual report and accounts.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many full-time equivalent staff are employed on Net Zero, sustainability and climate reporting functions within her Department; and what the staffing cost of those roles was in 2024–25.
The Hon Member can find details of all programmes supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), including those related to climate change, at the Development Tracker website on GOV.UK. Where available, details of additional expenditure incurred in meeting the FCDO's net zero commitments is set out in the department's annual report and accounts.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what costs have been incurred by her Department in complying with Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures requirements.
The Hon Member can find details of all programmes supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), including those related to climate change, at the Development Tracker website on GOV.UK. Where available, details of additional expenditure incurred in meeting the FCDO's net zero commitments is set out in the department's annual report and accounts.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the additional cost to procurement contracts from the requirement for suppliers to provide Carbon Reduction Plans.
The Hon Member can find details of all programmes supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), including those related to climate change, at the Development Tracker website on GOV.UK. Where available, details of additional expenditure incurred in meeting the FCDO's net zero commitments is set out in the department's annual report and accounts.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much has been spent on developing the global Net Zero estate pathway, including consultancy, internal staffing and programme management costs.
The Hon Member can find details of all programmes supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), including those related to climate change, at the Development Tracker website on GOV.UK. Where available, details of additional expenditure incurred in meeting the FCDO's net zero commitments is set out in the department's annual report and accounts.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much her Department has spent on electric vehicle charging infrastructure at overseas posts since 4 July 2024.
The Hon Member can find details of all programmes supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), including those related to climate change, at the Development Tracker website on GOV.UK. Where available, details of additional expenditure incurred in meeting the FCDO's net zero commitments is set out in the department's annual report and accounts.