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 61–80 of 90 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the Government Art Collection (a) reference number and (b) title is of each item (i) installed and (ii) removed from each (A) Embassy, (B) High Commission and (C) residence since 4 July 2024.
The Government Art Collection is a working collection, used across government buildings in the UK and the global estate, which means that artworks may change their display location from time to time in response to new display steers and requests.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department engages with Client Earth.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office engages with a range of non-governmental organisations on environmental issues, including ClientEarth. For example, in February we hosted ClientEarth and other conservation organisations for a roundtable discussion as part of our consultation on the UK's approach to Africa.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has had discussions with Inter Mediate on de-sanctioning the Syrian regime since July 2024.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not routinely disclose the content of private discussions with external organisations.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20252 on Universities: China, what the terms of reference are of the audit of the UK’s interests with regards to China; and whether he plans to publish a report at the end of the exercise.
The China Audit will improve the UK's ability to understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities China poses. The widespread consultation process, within and beyond government, has already informed the government's approach to and engagement with China. The audit will set out a long-term, consistent approach to our relationship. Its findings, which will also inform other important developments such as the forthcoming National Security Strategy and Industrial Strategy, will be shared with Parliament and other stakeholders in due course.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2025 to Question 23482 on 11 Downing Street: Council Tax, whether he pays council tax on his official Ministerial residence in Carlton Gardens as a (a) sole or main residence, (b) single person discount and (c) second homes premium in 2025-26.
The Foreign Secretary pays the necessary council tax on 1 Carlton Gardens.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what guidance his Department has issued to ambassadors on (a) declaring and (b) reporting their interests.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has established comprehensive policies and procedures to ensure transparency and accountability among its ambassadors. These guidelines are designed to mitigate conflicts of interest and maintain high ethical standards. Ambassadors are required to declare any personal or business interests that may influence their judgement in performing their duties. They must also report any gifts and hospitality they receive. The FCDO maintains an internal register for these declarations, which is regularly reviewed to uphold the integrity of the diplomatic service.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 April 2025 to Question 41270 on MI6: Stonewall, for what reason the Secret Intelligence Service has a membership.
The Secret Intelligence Service does not comment publicly on internal policy decisions.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support global health initiatives.
The UK has long been a champion of global health, and we are one of the largest donors to global health multilaterals worldwide. From our WHO partnership, helping to save over 40 million lives, to our investment in Gavi to support them to immunise 300 million children, and in the Global Fund to save over 1.2 million lives, our dedication and commitment to combating global health challenges is clear. And through the Pandemic Accord, we will help safeguard lives, livelihoods and economic stability in this country and globally from future pandemics.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2024 to Question 11266 on UK Special Representative for Climate Change, what the declaration of interest is that has been made by the Special Representative; and what steps his Department has taken to reduce any associated conflict of interest.
The Special Representative for Climate Change submitted a Declaration of Interests Form as per the standard procedure for an appointment of this sort. Provisions in her terms of engagement on conduct in office include mechanisms to address any conflict of interest should it arise.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 February 2025 to Question 28503 on USA: Diplomatic Service, if he will publish that guidance on publication of declarations of interest.
Cabinet Office guidance outlines the process for declaring and resolving conflicts of interest for Senior Civil Servants. The guidance can be found on Gov.uk.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has allocated funding to Client Earth since 4 July 2024.
Based on review of available data held centrally, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not allocated any funds to Client Earth since July 2024.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 26 February 2025 to Question HL5029 on Stonewall: Arms Length Bodies and Government Departments, whether he plans to allocate funding to Stonewall after 2025-26.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) LGBT+ rights programme, which started in 2023 , aims to transform the lives of millions of LGBT+ people around the world. This is done by tackling systematic violence, persecution, and exclusion by addressing outdated discriminatory laws, promoting protective legislation, empowering civil society organisations, and supporting the most vulnerable LGBT+ people in conflict and crisis. As part of this programme, the FCDO partners with Stonewall, with two agreements in place until March 2028. Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations and the impact on programmes are being worked through following the decision to reduce UK ODA from 0.5 per cent of gross national income to 0.3 per cent in 2027. We will set out our spending plans following the completion of the spending review.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his speech entitled The Locarno Speech by the Foreign Secretary: January 2025, published on 9 January 2025; for what reasons were part of the speech redacted; and whether the Government issues guidance on party political speeches in Government buildings.
In this speech, the Foreign Secretary set out his vision for how the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will help deliver this Government's Plan for Change and its approach to foreign policy. The essential nature of the speech was not party political. Any party political content was redacted from the gov.uk publication, as per guidance.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2025 to Question 23476 on USA: Diplomatic Service, if he will instruct Lord Mandelson to recuse himself from discussions on matters relating to Global Counsel's (a) EU and (b) China (i) clients and (ii) operations.
As in the answer of 20 January, there is a robust and established process in place for the management of interests held by all Senior Civil Servants. This process is designed to identify and, where necessary, mitigate any potential or perceived conflicts of interest. This process applies in the normal way to Lord Mandelson's appointment. It is improper to discuss the specifics of any individual case.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson has disposed of his lobbying interests on his appointment as Ambassador to the United States.
Cabinet Office guidance outlines the process for declaring and resolving conflicts of interest for Senior Civil Servants. The guidance - which applies in this case - makes clear that, "Any actual conflicts of interest must be resolved in a way which removes the conflict."
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what flags other than the Union flag will be flown from his Department's buildings in London in 2025; and on which dates each flag will be flown.
The FCDO's flag flying schedule for all our buildings at home and overseas is agreed by the Permanent Under-Secretary. The FCDO's flag flying policy is that all our buildings should fly the Union flag, as appropriate, throughout the year on working days during office hours. In addition, the FCDO continues to fly the Ukrainian flag from the secondary flagpole at King Charles Street. Any other flags flown on the estate are considered on a case-by-case, year-by-year basis and must have a compelling reason for inclusion. The FCDO does not advertise in advance which additional flags it will be flying and when.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 22 November 2024 to Question HL2411 on FCDO: Flags, how much has been spent on lighting up his Department’s buildings in relevant colours since 5 July 2024; and on what (a) occasions and (b) dates.
The FCDO's joint headquarters at King Charles Street in London and Abercrombie House in East Kilbride have been illuminated with coloured lighting on 3 occasions since 5 July 2024. These occasions were: in support of Southport victims (3-4 August, lit in pink); Red Wednesday (20 November, lit red); the state visit of the president of South Korea (21-22 November, lit red, white and blue). There is no direct cost to lighting our buildings, as they are programmed through existing lighting systems. Other FCDO buildings in the UK are not ordinarily illuminated, although our Hanslope Park site, near Milton Keynes, might occasionally be lit on the same dates as our headquarters.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will publish Lord Mandelson's declaration of interests as the new Ambassador to the United States.
There is an established mechanism in place for the management of interests held by all Senior Civil Servants. This ensures that steps are taken to avoid or mitigate any potential or perceived conflicts of interest. In line with guidance, the FCDO does not publish declarations of interest.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he considers the International Criminal Court to be a foreign court.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an international court based in the Netherlands. The UK is a State Party to the Rome Statute, the international treaty which established the ICC, and is one of the founding members. The ICC Act 2001 gives effect to the UK's obligations under the Rome Statute. We respect the independence of the ICC, which is the primary institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2024 to Question 13746 on FCDO: Electronic Purchasing Card Solution, for what reason the Cabinet Office postponed the September 2024 tra
The data relating to Government Procurement Card (GPC) covering June 2022 - October 2024 was published on 28 November and is available here. The FCDO interpreted the communication regarding the postponement to also apply to GPC spend, as the FCDO's genera...