Topical Questions 2026-09-01
2026-09-01
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The Foreign Secretary's responsibilities in the aftermath of natural disasters, specifically the flooding on the Nepal-China border.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities regarding the flooding on the Nepal-China border.
I am sure the whole House will want to join me in expressing our deep sorrow for the flooding on the Nepal-China border that has caused widespread death and devastation. There are 987 confirmed deaths and 3,916 people still missing, of whom 36 are British nationals. From the moment the tragedy unfolded, we have sought to provide all the help we can to the Nepalese authorities and to support British nationals, including £5 million in additional humanitarian assistance. Our humanitarian and consular specialists are on the ground in Nepal, and FCDO crisis teams are working around the clock to support relatives of those missing. My deepest condolences go to all those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy, particularly British nationals and their families.
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Q2
Partial Answer
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The case of Joshua Wong, a Hong Kong resident, being prosecuted by the Hong Kong Administration using the national security law. Hong Kong has trashed the Sino-British agreement and decoupled the concept of common law from rights and responsibilities.
Has the Secretary of State been made aware of the case of Joshua Wong, a Hong Kong resident who is being prosecuted by the Administration in Hong Kong using the national security law? The Secretary of State will know that Hong Kong has trashed the Sino-British agreement and decoupled the concept of common law from rights and responsibilities. All Joshua Wong has done is to ask for the same rights and privileges that we in this country hold dear. Will the Secretary of State take up that case with the Chinese Government and say to them, “Enough is enough. It's time to stop chasing peaceful protesters?”
I absolutely will take up that case. I know the right hon. Gentleman has a long-standing interest on a whole range of such issues. Because of that interest, I say to him that we will be forthright on human rights when it comes to China, and we will be strong in relation to foreign interference, espionage and on any threats to this country that we find.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not explicitly take up the case of Joshua Wong with the Chinese Government as requested.
Forthright On Human Rights
Strong In Relation To Foreign Interference, Espionage
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The Foreign Secretary's decision to act as the UK Governor to the World Bank in light of wildfires in Europe and flooding in Nepal.
I welcome the Foreign Secretary's decision to show personal leadership in acting as the UK Governor to the World Bank, given the wildfires that we have seen in Europe across the summer and the flooding in Nepal. Will he tell us how he intends to use the UK's influence to ensure that adaptation and resilience finance is accessible much more quickly to those countries that need it most?
My hon. Friend raises a really important point. The reason I took up this role is that I want the World Bank to do more to make adaptation and resilience go further and faster and to make it simpler and more accessible. We know from events around the world how vulnerable countries on the frontline of climate breakdown are, and I undertake to him and to the House that I will make that a top priority.
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Q4
Partial Answer
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The aid watchdog finding that the system has focused on meeting a spending target rather than clear priorities or value for money. The Foreign Secretary declared that development and climate finance will be “central” to his tenure.
The Foreign Secretary has declared that development and climate finance will be “central” to his tenure, yet the aid watchdog has found that the system has too often focused on meeting a spending target, rather than clear priorities or value for money. Before he embarks on an expensive road map back to 0.7%, will he commit to a full national interest review that includes considering value for money for the taxpayer?
The right hon. Lady makes a very important point. Any aid spending that we do must be value for money, but this is not just the right thing to do in principle to help to support the world's poorest countries; it is the right thing from our point of view. That is a very important point, which I hope those on both sides of the House can agree on. If we do not deal with problems around the world, they come to Britain.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to a full national interest review including value for money for the taxpayer.
Right Thing To Do In Principle
Right Thing From Our Point Of View
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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The situation in Nepal and Tibet, with hundreds of lives lost, thousands missing, and British nationals among those unaccounted for. The deployment of the UK's rapid response team and the humanitarian package.
Let me touch on Nepal and Tibet. The situation there is truly harrowing, with hundreds of lives lost, thousands still missing and British nationals among those unaccounted for. We welcome the deployment of the UK's rapid response team and the humanitarian package, but when it comes to British nationals, can the Foreign Secretary reassure the House that our consular teams have secured full access on both sides of the Nepal-Tibet border? What specialist British search, rescue and victim identification assistance is being and will continue to be offered?
The right hon. Lady raises a very important and sensitive issue about the families of British nationals who are missing. I assure her that we are engaging with the authorities on both sides of the border. We are making available all the resources that we have at our disposal to help in this process; I have said that from the morning after the disaster, when I spoke to the Nepalese Foreign Minister.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide details on search, rescue, and victim identification assistance.
Engaging With The Authorities On Both Sides Of The Border
Making Available All The Resources
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Steps the Government are taking to tackle the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Will the Minister update the House about the steps that the Government are taking to tackle the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
We are working closely with international partners to support the African-led response. We acted early to allocate an initial £26.9 million to fund the immediate response in the DRC and Uganda and to support the World Health Organisation and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in co-ordinating the regional response. I am pleased to announce to the House a further £51.8 million, which takes our total funding to £78.7 million. We are also taking a leading role internationally. I met Dr Jean Kaseya, the head of Africa CDC, in Addis Ababa last week, and I will discuss this issue with ministerial counterparts ahead of the UN General Assembly later this month.
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Q7
Partial Answer
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12 protesters were arrested in Tbilisi for displaying a banner criticising Georgian oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, who controls the Georgian Dream Government. The European Union and the United States have taken steps to sanction Mr Ivanishvili.
Last month, 12 protesters were arrested in Tbilisi just for displaying a banner criticising Georgian oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, who controls the Georgian Dream Government. The European Union and the United States have taken steps to sanction Mr Ivanishvili. When will the UK Government follow suit?
The hon. Gentleman knows that we do not comment on future designations, but we have sanctioned a number of individuals in Georgia in relation to actions. We urge Georgia to respect rights and freedoms and an inclusive and open democratic society.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not follow the EU and US in sanctioning Mr Ivanishvili.
Do Not Comment On Future Designations
Sanctioned A Number Of Individuals In Georgia
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
A major disaster in Nepal had a significant impact on the local Nepalese community in Harrow West, underlining the need for continued international aid.
The catastrophic events in Nepal last week have had a profound impact on the significant Nepalese community in my constituency. As well as underlining the need for further, sustained effort to tackle climate change internationally, do not those events also underline the need for continuing aid to Nepal?
My hon. Friend speaks up powerfully on behalf of his constituents with connections to Nepal. I can absolutely assure him that we are looking at what further support we can offer to Nepal. Let me emphasise that we had stuff prepositioned, and our work on disaster risk reduction over many years has enabled us to be in a strong position to respond. We will stand by Nepal as it has always stood by us, and we will work closely with China.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify any concrete support or funding for Nepal
Looking At What Further Support We Can Offer
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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As bond yields rise and geopolitical tensions increase, there is growing concern about the UK's economic stability and its ability to maintain international partnerships.
As bond yields climb sharply and turmoil in the middle east revives inflationary pressures, how is the Foreign Secretary reassuring international partners that Britain can pay its way? More importantly, is he warning the new Prime Minister of fresh, non-essential spending?
I take incredibly seriously my role in helping to tackle the cost of living crisis that the British people face, and that means working tirelessly to get back to the strait of Hormuz being reopened so that we can get oil and gas flowing. That is what we need to do.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the question about reassurances or warnings to the Prime Minister
Deflection
Response accuracy
Q10
Direct Answer
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Countries like Seychelles are leading the way in decriminalising same-sex acts, while others like Ghana are passing new laws that discriminate against the LGBTQ community.
Around the world, countries such as Seychelles are leading the way in decriminalising same-sex acts, while others, such as Ghana, are passing appalling new laws that attack the LGBT+ community simply for being who they are. Can the Minister assure the House that the UK is doing all it can to work with like-minded countries around the world to advance equality and protect the fundamental rights of LGBT+ people?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this issue, and I was pleased to confirm to the House back in May the £21 million fund over three years to advance LGBTQ rights internationally. This Government will always support the international rights of LGBT people for evermore.
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Q11
Partial Answer
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The Foreign Secretary has stated that sanctions for those who participate in illegal settlement expansion will be brought forward, but Labour MPs are trying to prevent this.
It is beyond doubt that Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories are illegal, and the Foreign Secretary has stated that sanctions for those who participate in illegal settlement expansion will be brought forward. Sadly, Labour MPs in this House are trying to prevent that on the basis that it could result in retaliatory measures from the US. Can the Foreign Secretary assure the House that the UK's adherence to international law will not be traded away, that the rights of the Palestinian people are not bargaining chips, and that he will not be bullied by Back Benchers or President Trump into allowing continued settler violence and the deliberate destruction of the two-state solution?
I can assure the hon. Member that Labour MPs are very keen that action be taken, and it will be.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a clear commitment to action
Labour Mps Are Very Keen That Action Be Taken
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Q12
Partial Answer
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The rights of women and girls are being stripped away globally, particularly regarding education and sexual and reproductive rights.
Globally, the rights of women and girls are being stripped away at alarming speed, particularly when it comes to education and sexual and reproductive rights. Does the Foreign Secretary plan to honour his predecessor's commitment to making sure that women's and girls' rights are embedded across FCDO programming?
I take this opportunity to pay tribute to my predecessor, now the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for her excellent work leading the campaign globally on violence against women and girls. My answer is 100% yes, I will continue her brilliant work.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify any concrete plans or commitments
100% Yes, I Will Continue Her Brilliant Work
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Illegal Israeli settlements are impacting Palestinian lives, particularly women and girls, and there is demand for comprehensive government action.
I have heard at first hand from many Palestinian business owners how illegal Israeli settlements ruin lives and disproportionately impact women and girls. I have received hundreds of emails from my Chelmsford constituents demanding comprehensive Government action. Will the Foreign Secretary therefore reassure my constituents and pledge that any trade ban will include services and investments?
As I said earlier, we are looking at all the economic issues in relation to the occupied territories. The hon. Lady raises an important point, which is that what has happened in Gaza and the west bank has pricked the conscience of a generation, and that is why we will act.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not make a specific pledge about services and investments
We Are Looking At All The Economic Issues
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Q14
Direct Answer
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A British company, Dana Petroleum, is involved in oil exploration in Palestinian waters off the coast of the occupied Gaza strip, which is considered illegal under international law.
Does the Foreign Secretary share my concern that the British company, Dana Petroleum, is involved in a consortium that has been granted licences for oil exploration in Palestinian waters off the coast of the occupied Gaza strip? Does he agree that it is illegal and amounts to the war crime of pillage? What does he intend to do to challenge this illegal action by a British-based company?
My hon. Friend raises an important issue. The United Kingdom recognises Palestine as a state and therefore its entitlement to a territorial sea. Let me be clear: I expect any UK company to abide by its obligations under international law.
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