Written questions by Morton.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 19314 on Belarus: Sanctions, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of sanction avoidance by Belarus in alcohol (a) imports and (b) exports.

The Government is committed to working with partners to hold the Lukashenko regime to account for its lack of respect for human rights and support for Putin's illegal war. That includes ensuring our sanctions are as effective as possible. That is why we have legislated to strengthen our sanctions enforcement powers, with the formal launch of the new Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation, and launched a cross-Government review of sanctions enforcement to ensure we have the right powers, approach and resourcing. We are also coordinating closely with G7 partners on our efforts to tackle circumvention risks across priority countries, ranging from technical support to diplomatic engagement at all levels.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with (a) international and (b) NGO partners to remove blocks on humanitarian aid entering Sudan.

The UK continues to work with international partners, including the UN and NGOs, to press for improved access for the delivery of aid into and across Sudan and consistently calls for the removal of all bureaucratic and administrative impediments to ensure aid can reach those in need. We raised the critical importance of increased humanitarian cross-border access at open briefings at the UN Security Council on 19 December 2024 and 6 January 2025 and have engaged directly with the new Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, on the UN response. On 25 November, the Foreign Secretary chaired a Sudan meeting with G7 and Arab Quint Foreign Ministers to discuss joint steps to improve humanitarian access and increase aid. On 18 October, the UK, along with 10 other donors, released a joint statement condemning the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian efforts by the warring parties. On 15 October, Lord Collins and I met with a range of NGOs to discuss humanitarian access in Sudan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of UK humanitarian aid to Sudan is spent in-country.

100% of our bilateral humanitarian ODA allocation to Sudan is spent in Sudan.In addition, the UK has provided many tens of millions of pounds of humanitarian assistance this year to people who have fled Sudan to elsewhere in the region such as Chad and South Sudan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the UK's use of soft power to support free and fair elections worldwide.

Supporting democracy and defending democratic freedoms are fundamental for the UK. Election observation is an integral part of democratic scrutiny. It contributes to transparent and accountable political processes and institutions overseas.The UK is a firm supporter of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, and its vital work deploying missions to observe elections in the OSCE region. This autumn, the UK supported the OSCE's work by funding over 135 election observers to five countries, including to highly contested elections in Georgia and Moldova.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with Baroness Shafik on consulting with (a) parliamentarians, (b) NGOs and (c) other stakeholders, in the context of her strategic review of international development.

The Foreign Secretary is grateful to Baroness Shafik for her leadership on the review and pleased that she and her team have been able to engage with parliamentarians, including the International Development Committee, NGOs and other stakeholders during the process of her review. This has built upon the extensive consultation on the UK's approach to international development carried out in 2023, across government, with development sector experts, members of Parliament and civil society groups in the UK and the Global South.The Foreign Secretary will consider the recommendations of the three reviews and will engage further externally with Baroness Shafik in the new year, as will the Minister for International Development.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in Hong Kong on the Hong Kong National Security Law.

The Government is clear that the National Security Law imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong has eroded the rights and freedoms of Hong Kongers. The Foreign Secretary met with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in October where he raised Hong Kong and human rights.I also raised concerns over the erosion of Hong Kong's rights and freedoms, including under the National Security Law, with Hong Kong and Chinese officials during my recent visit to Hong Kong in November.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many British nationals were in Syria on 11 December 2024.

We are aware British nationals are located in Syria. Due to the shifting circumstances on the ground, we are not in a position to provide numbers.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Syria.

The UK is calling on all parties to support humanitarian access, including access and protection for humanitarian workers in all regions of Syria. We are working closely with humanitarian and international partners to get a fuller picture of the situation, assess impacts and needs and determine how best to respond.The UK continues to support those in need across Syria where it is safe to do so. Through NGOs and UN organisations, we are providing food, healthcare and other life-saving assistance. The additional £11 million of humanitarian aid for the people of Syria includes £6 million to the UN Humanitarian Pooled Funds, £4 million to the Aid Fund for Northern Syria, and an additional £1 million to NGOs operating across all of Syria. As with all our work, we have extensive controls in place to ensure our aid reaches those who need it.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he expects Baroness Shafik’s strategic review of international development to be (a) completed and (b) published.

The Development Review has been submitted to the Foreign Secretary alongside the Global Impact and Economic Diplomacy reviews. The Development review is being considered by the Foreign Secretary and Minister for International Development. Consideration will then also be given to how best to communicate the independent reviews' findings which will be in the new year.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of 5 December 2024, Official Report, column 519, what his planned timetable is for the introduction of a new right to consular assistance.

The Government is committed to strengthening consular services, including introducing a right to consular assistance in cases of human rights violations. My department is considering a package of measures to achieve this, which we will announce in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the BBC World Service on UK soft power and diplomacy.

The former UN Secretary-General described the BBC World Service as 'perhaps Britain's greatest gift to the world'. Independent studies show that the BBC's global reputation contributes to perceptions of the UK as an attractive and trusted country. Against the backdrop of increased global competition, a new, hard-nosed strategy for soft power is crucial if we are to sustain the UK's international standing. The Foreign Secretary and Culture Secretary are establishing a new Soft Power Council to advise us on how we can support UK soft power at source and harness it effectively overseas. This will include the media. Tapestry Research carried out an international study in 2022, finding the BBC to be a particularly impactful British cultural export. It found, for example, that audiences who interacted with the BBC are more likely to want to visit the UK and invest in it.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of UK sanctions on Belarus.

Sanctions are carefully targeted to increase pressure over time. We regularly review our sanctions in order to maintain effectiveness. We therefore reserve the right to introduce further measures so that the Lukashenko regime continues to feel the consequences for its lack of respect for human rights and support for Putin's war. The UK will continue to work closely with our partners in holding Lukashenko to account.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support (a) public institutions and (b) the civil service in Syria.

The UK has been at the forefront of the response to the fast moving events in Syria, speaking regularly to regional and other partners about the situation. These early discussions have focused on protecting civilians, including minorities, and moving quickly to a political transition. The UK stands ready to support a transition process that leads to credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian governance that ensures respect for the rule of law, universal human rights, the protection of all Syrians, transparency and accountability. We are urging all those seeking a role in governing Syria to prevent the collapse of state institutions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support freedom of religion or belief for religious minorities in Syria.

The UK has consistently underlined the importance of protecting all civilians in Syria, including religious and ethnic minorities, publicly and in its engagement with regional and international partners. We are closely monitoring the treatment of religious minorities.The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all in Syria, and beyond. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. Promoting FoRB is critical to building a sustainable future for all Syrians, advancing the recognition of cultural and religious diversity, while ensuring equality and human dignity for all.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help safeguard the rights of women and girls in Syria.

Support to women and girls is at the heart of the UK's policy and programmes in Syria, including through active engagement with women's rights activists, women-led organisations and women involved in the political process. Over the 2023-24 financial year, 53 percent of UK humanitarian programming in Syria was spent supporting women and girls. The UK will continue to engage closely with Syrian contacts, international and regional partners to support an inclusive political transition.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) Kosovo and (b) countries neighbouring Kosovo.

The Foreign Secretary and I have engaged with counterparts in Kosovo and neighbouring states in the Western Balkans several times in recent months. With Kosovo, the Foreign Secretary messaged President Osmani on 30 November, and I spoke to Prime Minister Kurti on 1 December, following the 29 November attack on critical infrastructure in northern Kosovo. I spoke to Serbian Foreign Minister Djuric on 1 December on the same subject. On 3 December I met Albanian Foreign Minister Hasani, Montenegrin Foreign Minister Ibrahimović and Macedonian Foreign Minister Mucunski at the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting, covering a range of bilateral and regional issues including security, growth and aspirations for Euro-Atlantic alignment. In October I also had substantive meetings with Foreign Minister Djuric and Foreign Minister Ibrahimović during the Berlin Process Foreign Ministers Meeting.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Middle East on the situation in Syria.

The UK has been at the forefront of the response to fast moving events in Syria, speaking regularly to regional and other partners about the situation. The Foreign Secretary has spoken to the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria and a number of regional counterparts. I have also discussed the developments in Syria with regional partners and Syrian civil society actors.The focus of discussions has been on protecting civilians, including minorities, and moving quickly to a political transition. It is essential that this transition is inclusive, comprehensive and most importantly determined by the Syrian people themselves. The UK will continue to engage closely with Syrian contacts, international and regional partners to support a peaceful political transition.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help secure a peaceful political process in Syria.

The UK has been at the forefront of the response to fast moving events in Syria, speaking regularly to regional and other partners about the situation. The Foreign Secretary has spoken to the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria and a number of regional counterparts. I have also discussed the developments in Syria with regional partners and Syrian civil society actors.The focus of discussions has been on protecting civilians, including minorities, and moving quickly to a political transition. It is essential that this transition is inclusive, comprehensive and most importantly determined by the Syrian people themselves. The UK will continue to engage closely with Syrian contacts, international and regional partners to support a peaceful political transition.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure access to education for women and girls in Syria.

Support to women and girls is at the heart of the UK's policy and programmes in Syria, including through active engagement with women's rights activists, women-led organisations and women involved in the political process. Over the 2023-24 financial year, 53 percent of UK humanitarian programming in Syria was spent supporting women and girls. The UK will continue to engage closely with Syrian contacts, international and regional partners to support an inclusive political transition.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to ensure access of humanitarian aid into Syria.

The UK is calling on all parties to support humanitarian access, including access and protection for humanitarian workers in all regions of Syria. We are working closely with humanitarian and international partners to monitor the situation, assess impacts and needs, and determine how best to respond.The UK continues to support those in need across Syria, where it is safe to do so. Through NGOs and UN organisations, we are providing food, healthcare and other life-saving assistance. The UK has announced an additional £61 million in funding since November 2024 to support vulnerable Syrians, in Syria and the region.In addition, I announced in early December an additional £300,000 in funding to the White Helmets after meeting them to discuss their vital work across Syria. The funding will support search and rescue operations, facilitate humanitarian access, allow the expansion of their existing ambulance system and enable the safe removal of unexploded weapons.