Iain Duncan Smith MP: written questions
4 Jul 2024–3 Jul 2025
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Our reporting years run from 4 July to 3 July, starting with the 2024 general election. They are not official parliamentary sessions. Office costs keep IPSA’s April–March financial years. Records may cover only part of a year; a missing record does not mean no work was done.
Read what this MP said, asked and contributed in Parliament.
44 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Russia: UkraineForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 1 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 63968More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Russia on the airstrike on the Dnipro Theological Seminary of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine; and what diplomatic steps he
Answer: We are deeply disturbed by the impact of Russia's illegal war on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), as well as the damage done to places of worship and religious significance. Ukraine's democracy is well known for its commitment to religious pluralism....
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordChinese Embassy: Planning PermissionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 25 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 62524More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions officials have had with Chinese officials on the application to develop Royal Mint Court into a new Chinese embassy.
Answer: The planning application has been called in by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Ministers in MHCLG will make this decision independent from the rest of Government in their quasi-judicial capa...
Answered 30 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMyanmar: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61719More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) deliver humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations in Myanmar's conflict zones outside military control and (b) avoid (i) legitimising and (ii)
Answer: Since the 2021 coup, the UK has provided more than £190 million in life-saving humanitarian assistance, emergency healthcare and education support, and support to civil society. No UK funds go to the Myanmar military, and we work through local partners to...
Answered 30 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordEstonia: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60805More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to the Estonian Government on the importance of defending and promoting freedom of religion in Estonia, in the context of the Government’s
Answer: I am not aware of any plans by Estonia's government to ban the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church. The revised wording of Estonia's proposed Churches and Congregations Act Amendment simply states that religious organisations must not have links to religio...
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordEstonia: Orthodox ChurchForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60804More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to the Estonian Government on their plans to ban the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church.
Answer: I am not aware of any plans by Estonia's government to ban the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church. The revised wording of Estonia's proposed Churches and Congregations Act Amendment simply states that religious organisations must not have links to religio...
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMyanmar: ChinaForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58560More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date he last discussed levels of Chinese support for the military regime in Myanmar with his Chinese counterparts; and if he will publish the minutes of that meeting.
Answer: The UK regularly raises the Myanmar crisis with China and other neighbouring countries, including at the UN Security Council (UNSC). At the UNSC and other multilateral fora, the UK continues to call for the need for all actors to protect civilians and for...
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMyanmar: Politics and GovernmentForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58559More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to restrict access to (a) international banking, (b) insurance and (c) other sources of financial support by the military regime in Mya
Answer: The UK is considering a range of further measures to hold the military regime in Myanmar to account. It would not be appropriate to speculate about future sanctions as to do so could reduce their impact. It is vital that any sanctions imposed have the des...
Answered 18 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMyanmar: China and RussiaForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58552More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to implement targeted sanctions on Chinese and Russian companies supplying (a) drones, (b) military hardware, (c) surveillance tools and (d) aviation
Answer: The UK has sanctioned a number of targets responsible for supplying arms to the military regime since the coup in 2021. In 2022, the UK sanctioned two Russian companies involved in the supply and upkeep of aircraft for the Myanmar Armed Forces. In October...
Answered 18 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMyanmar: China and RussiaForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58551More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information his Department holds on the extent of (a) financial and (b) military assistance provided to the military regime in Myanmar by (i) China and (ii) Russia; and
Answer: The UK is clear that countries should not sell arms or provide financial assistance to the Myanmar military regime as this will only lead to greater instability and violence. UK sanctions include a comprehensive arms embargo on Myanmar. We note that in re...
Answered 18 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordXinjiang: Human RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54228More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with international human rights organisations on (a) the Xinjiang Police Files and (b) the adequacy of human rights in the Uyghur Region.
Answer: This Government stands firm on human rights, including in Xinjiang, where China continues to persecute and arbitrarily detain Uyghur Muslims. We continue to refer to the OHCHR's 2022 Xinjiang Assessment, which is based on independent evidence and China's ...
Answered 3 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordXinjiang: Human RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54227More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his (a) international and (b) Chinese counterparts on (i) the Xinjiang Police Files, published in 2022, and (ii) allegations of human rights
Answer: This Government stands firm on human rights, including in Xinjiang, where China continues to persecute and arbitrarily detain Uyghur Muslims. We continue to refer to the OHCHR's 2022 Xinjiang Assessment, which is based on independent evidence and China's ...
Answered 3 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordXinjiang: Human RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54226More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of the Xinjiang Police Files in 2022.
Answer: This Government stands firm on human rights, including in Xinjiang, where China continues to persecute and arbitrarily detain Uyghur Muslims. We continue to refer to the OHCHR's 2022 Xinjiang Assessment, which is based on independent evidence and China's ...
Answered 3 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordUkraine: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 20 May 2025AnsweredUIN 53456More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of law 3894 on religious freedom in Ukraine.
Answer: We are deeply disturbed by the impact of Russia's illegal war on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Ukraine. In contrast, Ukraine's democracy is well known for its commitment to religious pluralism. The UK fully supports the intention behind Law 3894...
Answered 2 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordUkraine: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 20 May 2025AnsweredUIN 53455More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his counterpart in Ukraine on religious freedom, in the context of the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under law 3894.
Answer: We are deeply disturbed by the impact of Russia's illegal war on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Ukraine. In contrast, Ukraine's democracy is well known for its commitment to religious pluralism. The UK fully supports the intention behind Law 3894...
Answered 2 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSurveillance: Minority GroupsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 15 May 2025AnsweredUIN 52578More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the use of surveillance technology by authoritarian governments to target religious minorities;
Answer: The UK remains strongly committed to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. We are working bilaterally and multilaterally to hold countries to account for repression of religious or belief minorities.The UK takes its export control responsib...
Answered 27 May 2025
Original Parliament recordNorth Korea: CryptocurrenciesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44895More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the recent $1.5 billion cryptocurrency theft by North Korea; what steps he has taken to trace th
Answer: The UK Government is aware of reporting relating to the recent cyber activity linked to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, involving the cryptocurrency exchange ByBit. The UK has been consistent in challenging malicious cyber activity carried out ...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordDevelopment AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44203More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reductions to Official Development Assistance Spending on (a) Gavi, (b) the Global Fund and (c) other programmes.
Answer: The UK remains committed to tackling global health challenges and will continue to work with all international partners towards the collective goal of a healthier, safer and more prosperous world. As part of this, we are proud to be co-hosting the 8th rep...
Answered 14 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordDeveloping Countries: HIV/AIDSForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44202More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has for the funding of (a) the Global Fund and (b) other global HIV programmes, in the context of the planned reduction in Official Development Assistance spend
Answer: The UK remains committed to tackling global health challenges and will continue to work with all international partners towards the collective goal of a healthier, safer and more prosperous world. As part of this, we are proud to be co-hosting the 8th rep...
Answered 14 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office: CyprusForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43406More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department plan to visit the official memorial in Girne in Northern Cyprus.
Answer: The Government reaffirms its highest respect for the memory and sacrifice of British and Cypriot service personnel and employees of the Crown who gave their lives, who lost family members or loved ones, and whose lives suffered permanent disruption as a r...
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordNorthern Cyprus: Travel RestrictionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 12 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 37527More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of impact of (a) indirect flights via Turkey and (b) other travel restrictions on UK nationals travelling to the Turkish Republic of Northe
Answer: We recognise that the status quo in Cyprus creates serious challenges for the Turkish Cypriot community, including in relation to international travel. The Government believes a just and lasting settlement is the best way of resolving these challenges and...
Answered 19 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordAfghanistan: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35216More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his polices of Taliban (a) restrictions on the practice of religion and (b) the targeting of (i) Shia Muslims,
Answer: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials regularly press the Taliban to respect the human rights of all Afghans. In October 2024, we co-sponsored a Human Rights Council resolution which extended the mandate of UN Special Rapporteur Richard B...
Answered 12 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordHong Kong: SanctionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 34763More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if his Department will impose secondary sanctions on Hong Kong financial institutions found to be supporting sanction evasion.
Answer: UK sanctions bind UK nationals and entities everywhere. This is different to 'secondary sanctions' which are enforced outside of the sanctioning country's jurisdiction. The UK is committed to curtail Russia's use of the international financial system to s...
Answered 7 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordHong Kong: RussiaForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 34762More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Hong Kong counterpart on Russian sanction evasion through Hong Kong.
Answer: In his recent meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs spoke about global stability, including in Ukraine, where Russia continues its illegal war. The UK has already sanctioned...
Answered 7 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordConsular Assistance (Journalists) BillForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28447More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the Consular Assistance (Journalists) Bill.
Answer: The Government is considering its response to the Private Member's Bill "to make provision for a right to consular assistance for British journalists abroad who have been detained or held hostage; and for connected purposes" and will respond to ...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDiplomatic Service: British Nationals AbroadForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28446More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will support legislative proposals to establish a legal right to consular assistance for British nationals.
Answer: 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 cou...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
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4 Jul 2024–3 Jul 2025. One record per UIN and tabled date; the named department is not a measure of answer quality.
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