Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 13 May 2025 · 10 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 9 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Edward Morello inquired about discussions to reduce tariffs for the Falkland Islands, with the Secretary of State confirming ongoing talks with the European Union.
  • Bambos Charalambous questioned the Government's measures to put pressure on the Syrian Government to protect civilians, with the response emphasizing the commitment to human rights and accountability for attacks on civilians.
  • Torcuil Crichton requested that Dame Barbara Woodward convey a message from constituents condemning Israel's use of food as a weapon of war, with the Minister confirming that their views would be expressed by the UK's permanent representative in New York.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Edward Morello Lib Dem West Dorset
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The Foreign Affairs Committee heard from the Falkland Islands Government about detrimental post-Brexit tariffs affecting Falklands exports.

Question

What discussions has the Secretary of State had with his Department and European counterparts to address those tariffs for a new trade arrangement for the Falkland Islands?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr David Lammy)

I reassure the hon. Gentleman that we are always seeking to reduce tariff burdens for our overseas territories, and we are in ongoing discussions with the European Union in particular.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on concrete actions or commitments beyond general reassurance.

How: Ongoing Discussions

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Q2 Bambos Charalambous Lab Southgate and Wood Green
Foreign Affairs
Context

Alawite, Druze and Christian minority communities in Syria are living in fear of attacks from militiamen.

Question

What steps are the Government taking to put pressure on the Syrian Government to prevent any further attacks?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr Hamish Falconer)

We emphasise the necessity of demonstrating commitment to the protection of human rights in all our engagements with the Syrian Government. Our public statements have also made it clear that civilians must be protected from violence, and those responsible held to account.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or commitments beyond general emphasis on protecting human rights.

How: Public Statements

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Q3 Priti Patel Con Witham
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

China's failure to address the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Question

Will the Foreign Secretary provide details on the discussions that have taken place with President Zelensky over his forthcoming visit to Turkey, and what direct support is Britain giving for any discussions he will have with Putin?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr David Lammy)

On 22 April, I raised concerns with my Chinese counterpart on China’s supply of equipment to Russia and on the relationship with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea—North Korea—and Russia and Iran. The right hon. Lady will know that I sanctioned Chinese entities that were supplying dual-use technology to the Russians, killing Ukrainians.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Focused more on actions taken against China rather than direct support for Ukraine's diplomatic efforts with Putin.

How: Sanctions

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Q4 Torcuil Crichton Lab Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Community Security Foreign Affairs
Context

71,000 children are at risk of famine in Gaza as the Israeli Government use food as a weapon of war.

Question

Will Ministers ensure that Dame Barbara Woodward takes a message from my constituents, including Mairi MacKinnon, Ian Stephen, Louise Scullion and Malcolm MacLean, who expressed their disgust and condemnation of the Israeli Government using food as a weapon of war?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr Hamish Falconer)

I can confirm that our permanent representative in New York will be expressing the full force of our views, as we heard earlier in this session.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions beyond confirming message transmission through diplomatic channels.

How: Permanent Representative

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Q5 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Foreign Affairs
Context

Current negotiations over the future of Gibraltar.

Question

Will the Minister confirm the state of the current negotiations over the future of Gibraltar, including whether they will be concluded before the EU-UK reset?

Answer from The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Stephen Doughty)

I spoke to the Chief Minister of Gibraltar just this morning. We have been working closely with him and, indeed, with our EU and Spanish counterparts, and all sides agree on the importance of concluding a treaty as soon as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific timeline or confirm completion before EU-UK reset.

How: Working Closely

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Q6 Steve Yemm Lab Mansfield
Context

An airport worker and his wife have been raising funds for Hezbollah-linked groups in Lebanon.

Question

What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that charitable donations in the UK cannot be used to fund terrorism in the Middle East?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr Hamish Falconer)

Raising money for terrorist organisations is a criminal offence. This Government will continue to take robust action against those suspected of raising money for terrorist organisations in the middle east and around the world.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or actions beyond general reassurance on criminal offences.

How: Robust Action

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Q7 Bobby Dean Lib Dem Carshalton and Wallington
Asylum & Refugees
Context

Nearly every single child is at risk of famine in Gaza as the Israeli Government use starvation as a weapon of war.

Question

If now is not the time to take those actions, when will that be?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr Hamish Falconer)

We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state at a time that has the most impact in achieving a reality most conducive to long-term peace in the region.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific timing or commitment beyond general commitment.

How: Long-Term Peace

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Q8 Darren Paffey Lab Southampton Itchen
Foreign Affairs Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Prime Minister recently warned of a dangerous new era, raising concerns about the government's approach to international relations.

Question

Given the Prime Minister’s warning that the world has fundamentally changed and that we are in a dangerous new era, will the Secretary of State commit to protecting the British Council and its soft power role in strengthening global relationships, and does he agree that any cuts to its support would undermine decades of trusted UK diplomacy?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Catherine West)

The British Council has no greater champions than Labour Ministers on the Front Bench. It does a fantastic job to promote the UK abroad. Across this House, we love the British Council.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to protect funding for the British Council

How: Changing Subject

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Q9 Shockat Adam Ind Leicester South
Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Procedure
Context

A point of order was raised regarding the Department's failure to respond to a letter about arms exports to Israel.

Question

The right hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell) raised a point of order yesterday following the Department’s failure to respond to a letter from a number of hon. Members asking the Secretary of State to come to the House to make a statement on alarming research that shows that the UK continues to send large-scale exports of lethal weaponry to Israel. May I beseech the Secretary of State to make a statement to the House on this matter? If he is not willing to do so, can he confirm that all statements that he has made in this House since September 2024 relating to arms exports to Israel have been completely accurate and fully transparent?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr David Lammy)

Yes, I can.

Not addressed: Detailed commitment to make a statement or transparency on UK arms exports to Israel

How: Non-Specific Affirmation

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Q10 Matthew Patrick Lab Wirral West
Foreign Affairs
Context

A constituent met with the MP to discuss concerns about hostages held by Hamas and their release.

Question

On Sunday, I had the honour of meeting Emily Damari. She told me about her good friends, Ziv and Gali Berman, who remain in captivity. It is so clear to me that no hostage will be free until all hostages are free. Hamas footage at the weekend serves only to deliver more torment to the families. Will the Minister set out, before the 600 day-anniversary later this month of the 7 October attacks, the steps he will be taking to ensure humanitarian access for those hostages?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr David Lammy)

I welcome the release of Edan Alexander after an agonising 583 days in captivity, and I thank Qatar and Egypt for their support. We urge all parties to seize this opportunity to re-engage with negotiations and return to a ceasefire. That is what will see the return of those hostages. When I discussed this with Secretary of State Rubio and, indeed, with partners in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, I urged them to raise those issues with the President this week.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps being taken before the 600 day-anniversary for hostage release and humanitarian access

How: Non-Specific Statement

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