Topical Questions

Question

On behalf of the people of Stockton South, I offer our deepest condolences to the families of victims of last month's devastating Turkish-Syrian earthquake. I was glad to see the Government's fast response in sending humanitarian aid, but can my right hon. Friend ensure that the UK will assist both Syria and Turkey in elaborating strategies to prevent any future natural disaster from having such a devastatingly high fatality rate?

Question

In recent weeks, allies in the US and EU have moved to ban TikTok from Government phones, but the UK Government's response is to say that it is a personal choice. Will the Foreign Secretary clarify whether the Government will recommend a Government agency ban, or whether the UK will be behind the curve again?

Question

Last week, the UK warned that the regime in Tehran is now dangerously close to weapons-related activities, after Iran was caught enriching uranium to 83.7% by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Considering that Iran has systematically escalated its nuclear activities in the face of diplomatic efforts, does my right hon. Friend agree that the time has now come for a snapback in sanctions, as enshrined in the joint comprehensive plan of action?

Question

I refer to my entry in the Register of Members' Financial Interests as the chair of the all-party parliamentary group for aid match. The Government funding rounds for UK Aid Match and the Gavi and Malaria match funds ended in 2023 and totalled £377 million, which represents just 0.3% of UK overseas development assistance. When will the next round of aid match be announced, how much will be announced and will the Government increase the percentage of ODA that is aid matched?

Question

There are striking parallels between the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the 1974 invasion of Cyprus by Turkey. Both involved aggressive incursions into the sovereign territory of another country. Will the Foreign Secretary call on Turkey to remove its troops from Cyprus and enable Cypriots to determine their own future?

Question

Many people who come here on small boats are fleeing war where this country has sold weapons, natural disasters where this Government have given up on tackling climate change, and hunger and disease where this Government have slashed the aid budget. How does anything in yesterday's integrated review tackle the push factors that cause so much displacement and migration in the first place?

Question

The behaviour of Iran is increasingly concerning, particularly that of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as my hon. Friend the Member for Buckingham (Greg Smith) said earlier. What more will my right hon. Friend do, particularly by working with our allies, to ensure that we attack that threat head on?

Question

I heard stories of horrific war crimes by Russian forces in Ukraine, including sexual crimes and rapes. What are the Government doing to ensure that a special tribunal is set up for the crime of aggression?

Question

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has just executed Hussein Abo al-Kheir, a father of eight, after giving assurances that it would not carry out death penalties. Will the Foreign Secretary try to arrange to make a statement to the House later this week on the ramifications for our relationship with Saudi Arabia?

Question

Hussein Abo al-Kheir was executed in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, despite allegations that he had been severely tortured and calls from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to halt his execution. Can the Minister explain further how the UK is working with our international allies?

Question

The abduction, so-called re-education, and illegal adoption of 6,000 Ukrainian children is an act of genocide. Will we now back the Avaaz campaign and sanction the further eight responsible individuals?

Question

A loophole in the sanctions regime means that Russian steel is rolled in countries such as Turkey and then imported to the UK. Will he follow the lead of the EU, which is closing the loophole in the regime, and tell us when the UK will also close the loophole?

Question

The Government's new health position papers contain approaches to integrate water, sanitation and hygiene within health programming. Will the Minister commit to progress the implementation of that?

Question

The crisis in Kashmir now spans across nine decades and, today, those living in the region still face unimaginable human rights abuses. Will the Minister ensure that the plight of the Kashmiris is not forgotten, and will he launch a renewed effort to facilitate dialogue between Pakistan and India?

Question

The Ukrainian economy is suffering immeasurably because of the war imposed by Russia. What steps are we taking to help Ukrainian companies to partner with western multinationals?

Question

For the past 15 months, my team and I have been battling to bring five British children who are in hiding in Kabul to safety. Their British father was blown up by the Taliban. Their Afghan mother will not be granted a visa by the Home Office and they are too young to travel alone. Neither the Foreign Office nor the Home Office are responding to my correspondence on this case. Please will the Secretary of State or one of his Ministers grant me an urgent meeting, so that we can bring this family to safety?

Question

Earlier in this session, we heard about the importance of respecting self-determination when it comes to the future of the Falkland Islands. Can my right hon. Friend update the House with regard to consultations with the Chagossian people on the future of the British Indian Ocean Territory?

Question

On 25 January, in the urgent question on whether the Government had assisted the Wagner Group in circumventing UK sanctions, I asked the Minister, the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge), how many exceptions and waivers to the rules there had been over the past two years. The Minister said that a letter would be sent to me. It is now 14 March, so will the Foreign Secretary ensure that that letter is sent to me?

Question

Whether China is a threat, a challenge, an opportunity or all of the above, the UK's response to it will surely be enhanced by better Chinese language skills. Can my right hon. Friend assure me that he is doing what he can with colleagues in Government to improve the UK's capacity in that regard?

Question

AerCap is the largest provider of commercial aircraft in the world and, after the imposition of sanctions, it required a number of leased aircraft in Russia to be returned. That has not happened; instead, those aircraft have been re-registered in Russia, and continue to fly and operate. I know that there is a court case on the issue of loss with the insurance industry, but do the Government consider that to be an example of sanctions evasion?

Question

I recently visited the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and what I saw made a deep and lasting impression on me. Does the Minister agree with me and with former Israeli ambassador Ilan Baruch, whom I met yesterday, that the UK and others must stop giving Israel impunity for its illegal actions under international law and again become serious and active players for peace?

Question

I am grateful for the many pieces of correspondence I have had from the Foreign Office regarding the death of my constituent's son abroad—the many parliamentary questions and binary interactions across this Chamber. Will the Foreign Secretary meet me to discuss the finer points that will allow my constituent closure in this case?

Question

British nationals Morad Tahbaz and Mehran Raoof still remain incarcerated in Iran. What is the Foreign Secretary going to do to bring them home?

Question

The Foreign Secretary will be well aware of the huge demonstrations in Israel opposing the Government's plans to control the judiciary, which will undermine the rule of law—a situation described by the President of Israel yesterday as “very serious”. Does the Foreign Secretary share President Herzog's concerns?

Question

The Russell Group has highlighted the scale of delays in the academic technology approval scheme, which is detrimental to students, research projects and universities. Businesses are retracting funding and PhD applicants withdrawing due to these delays. What discussions has the Secretary of State had with his Cabinet colleagues about this issue, and will he meet me to discuss the Russell Group findings?

Question

Global malnutrition is a serious threat affecting 200 million people. The Development Minister is asked to support early-day motion 951 that welcomes the Bridgetown agenda, aiming to revolutionize the global financial development framework. Now is not the time for half measures.

Question

I was honoured to attend the UN Commission on the Status of Women where I heard from Girl Scouts about their #SheSurfsFreedom survey highlighting the impact of online harassment, misogyny and abuse on girls globally. Can we work with partners to ensure a free and equal digital future?