Topical Questions

Answer from Yvette Cooper

I want to formally welcome the fact that an agreement has been announced between the United States and Iran. We should be clear that this is an important diplomatic breakthrough, but it is still just the beginning of further discussions and negotiations that will be important to de-escalate tensions, restore regional stability and reopen the strait of Hormuz.

Answer from Yvette Cooper

My hon. Friend is right to raise the importance of this issue. Tackling climate change across the world helps in those countries, but it also helps us here at home. That is why we are supporting climate finance internationally, because we can multiply the impact we have by working through international climate finance and funds. As well as the billions of pounds of investment that the UK will be providing, we are mobilising billions more in finance from the private sector.

Answer from Yvette Cooper

I can be clear that this Government maintain high standards across our supply chains and are strengthening action against abuse within supply chains. While in China earlier this month, I raised issues around human rights and security.

Answer from Yvette Cooper

The shadow Foreign Secretary and I are both former Home Secretaries who take any security threats immensely seriously. That is why the Government are strengthening the legislation on state-backed threats—because we take security issues so seriously.

Answer from Seema Malhotra

We recognise the strength of feeling among diaspora communities and continue to press the Sri Lankan Government bilaterally and at the United Nations Human Rights Council for meaningful progress to improve the human rights situation. That includes securing truth, justice and accountability for past abuses affecting all communities, including Tamils.

Answer from Yvette Cooper

I met with European partners and others in Paris on Friday to discuss the importance of providing new energy behind not just the two-state solution but, specifically, the Gaza 20-point plan. That is why we have announced the international peace fund.

Answer from Seema Malhotra

Anthropic's Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models have been withdrawn worldwide, including in the US. We respect that this is a decision for the US Government and are in direct contact with US Government officials as this develops. It reinforces the importance of Britain having greater sovereign control over critical technology and maintaining our national capabilities for us and our allies.

Answer from Seema Malhotra

We are very clear that the UK will not tolerate any attempts by foreign states to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the United Kingdom. That continues to be our position.

Answer from Stephen Doughty

I congratulate my hon. Friend on her damehood, which is well deserved, and on her consistent advocacy in relation to Armenia. I can assure her that we are monitoring the concerning situation regarding Russian economic pressure on Armenia. We are developing our strategic partnership further.

Answer from Chris Elmore

We call on the Taliban to respect the rights of women and girls, including the right to education, and condemn any ongoing restrictions. I will raise the hon. Member's question with the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr Falconer), who is travelling, and ensure that she gets a full written answer.

Answer from Seema Malhotra

We are building long-term partnerships between UK regions and our global network to support local growth, including in the west midlands and with more ministerial and head of mission visits across the UK this year.

Answer from Seema Malhotra

The UK reiterates the call in the ICJ's advisory opinion that Israel should end its occupation of Palestine as rapidly as possible and in line with our goal of a two-state solution.

Answer from Seema Malhotra

Hamas is a terrorist organisation, and we have been clear that it must decommission its weaponry and no longer be allowed to pose a threat to Israel's security. The UK is committed to supporting the implementation of the 20-point Gaza peace plan in full.

Answer from Yvette Cooper

I welcome my right hon. Friend visiting Chad and raising this issue, and I assure her that I have already raised it as part of the G7, when the G7 Foreign Ministers had a significant discussion.

Answer from Seema Malhotra

We are concerned about developments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including the loss of life of security personnel and civilians. We recognise that it is an internal matter for the authorities, but we changed our travel advice on 6 June to advise against all but essential travel to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir region due to the ongoing situation. We continue closely to monitor the situation, including the impact on British nationals, engaging with the Government of Pakistan as appropriate.

Answer from Chris Elmore

Tackling structural imbalances, future industries, open trade and reforming global economic systems to support developing countries will be our focus as we move into chairing the G20. The FCDO will play an important part co-ordinating the work across Government via the Cabinet Office.

Answer from Yvette Cooper

We continue to condemn the horrendous attacks on 7 October, which were an act of the most barbaric terrorism by Hamas and left deep scars for families who lost loved ones. Huge trauma was instigated as a result and it was the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

Answer from Stephen Doughty

The illicit finance summit will convene a broad coalition to tackle dirty money globally and focus on financial transparency, property, crypto and illicit gold. The Crown dependencies and overseas territories with financial centres have committed to upholding international tax standards.

Answer from Seema Malhotra

Following on from the Foreign Secretary's comments, we stand resolute in support of human rights around the world, including in supply chains. We continue to raise the issue with Governments and the international community at every available opportunity.

Answer from Yvette Cooper

I raised the case of Jimmy Lai during my meetings in China, we will continue to raise it. We believe that he needs to be released as swiftly as possible. We take the safety of Hongkongers across the UK immensely seriously.

Answer from Stephen Doughty

We wish Scotland very well and congratulate the team on their success against Haiti. The hon. Lady raises an important point. I have raised these issues with the US Government, as has our embassy in Washington.

Answer from Seema Malhotra

My hon. Friend will know how seriously we take this situation. We continue to monitor it closely—including, as has been raised, the impact on British nationals—and to ensure that we continue to engage with the Government of Pakistan where appropriate.

Answer from Stephen Doughty

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his consistent advocacy on Gibraltar. We are committed to finalising this treaty imminently. The draft treaty text is undergoing its final legal checks, and as he will know, a draft was previously deposited in the House with a summary on 26 February. We look forward to signature imminently, and the provisional application is expected on 15 July.

Answer from Yvette Cooper

My hon. Friend is right. I raised this while I was in India, and I know how much he has been championing his constituent's case. There is concern about the length of time without a resolution, and we will continue to raise it.

Answer from Yvette Cooper

I continue to raise Sudan in every international forum. We have to keep a spotlight on what is the worst humanitarian crisis of the 21st century. That includes shining a spotlight on international arms flows—more than a dozen countries are involved—and it involves pressure on the parties involved to agree some kind of ceasefire or humanitarian truce so that we can get humanitarian support in and start to build a better future for Sudan.