Iain Duncan Smith MP: written questions
4 Jul 2025–3 Jul 2026
How these years work
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.
57 published records · newest first.
Written questions
China: Ethnic GroupsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15259More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans she has to discuss the Ethnic Unity and Progress Law with her Chinese counterpart.
Answer: This is a concerning development in China. We note the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights' concern that this law may entrench restrictions on the rights and freedoms of ethnic minorities in a country where the environment for freedom of religion or bel...
Answered 8 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordCyprus: Military BasesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 26 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13444More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the statement by the European Council on 19 March 2026, whether she has made representations to the European Council on its intention to provide assistance
Answer: The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia (SBAs) are fully sovereign UK territory, and remained so under the 1960 Treaty Concerning the Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus. The UK remains committed to the SBAs, which make a major contribution ...
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordCyprus: Military BasesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12617More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, to what degree has the Government been committed to offer support regarding the sovereignty of the British Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, prior to the Europea
Answer: The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia (SBAs) are fully sovereign UK territory, and remained so under the 1960 Treaty Concerning the Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus. The UK remains committed to the SBAs, which make a major contribution ...
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordChina: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 22 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 11586More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with the Government of China on reports that released religious prisoners of conscience in China face exit bans and other post-release restric
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 March in response to question 118999.
Answered 26 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordRussia: AluminiumForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6715More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her counterpart in Ireland on the (a) restricting and (b) ceasing of sales of aluminium to Russia.
Answer: The UK and Irish governments regularly discuss our staunch support for countering Russia's aggression in Ukraine, including international efforts to maximise pressure on the Russian war economy. We conduct similar conversations with the EU on a regular ba...
Answered 11 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordChina: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1869More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of China’s Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress on freedom of religion and belief for (a) Tibetans, (b) Uyghurs, (c
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 17 March in response to Question HL15305.
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordLord MandelsonForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 23 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129451More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Peter Mandelson had access to the China audit at any stage.
Answer: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordUyghurs: Human RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128636More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) adequacy of UK sanctions in response to ongoing human rights violations in the Uyghur Region since 22 April 2021.
Answer: This Government stands firm on human rights, including in Xinjiang, where China continues to persecute and arbitrarily detain Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities. We continue to raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister ra...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordXinjiang: Human RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128635More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking in response to the House of Commons motion of 22 April 2021 entitled Human Rights: Xinjiang.
Answer: This Government stands firm on human rights, including in Xinjiang, where China continues to persecute and arbitrarily detain Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities. We continue to raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister ra...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127033More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the cost to the public purse was of the recent search of a vessel with supplies for the Chagos Islands; and whether UK-based officials travelled to assist with this sear
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the statement I made to the House on 13 April and the answer given on 27 April to question HL16223, and the answers I provided to questions raised in response, except for matters of ongoing litigation, where I am unable to com...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127032More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans she has to support access of supplies to Chagossians living on Peros Banhos.
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the statement I made to the House on 13 April and the answer given on 27 April to question HL16223, and the answers I provided to questions raised in response, except for matters of ongoing litigation, where I am unable to com...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127031More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his Department's policy is on the right of abode for Chagossians on the Chagos Islands, with reference to the judgement of the Supreme Court of the British Indian Ocean
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the statement I made to the House on 13 April and the answer given on 27 April to question HL16223, and the answers I provided to questions raised in response, except for matters of ongoing litigation, where I am unable to com...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127029More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any goodwill payment or any other costs will be paid to the Mauritian Government as a result of the Diego Garcia Bill not having progressed through Parliament.
Answer: Costs associated with the Treaty cannot be paid without the relevant legislation being passed.
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordNorth Korea: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126520More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of conditions for freedom of religion or belief in North Korea; and what discussions she has had w
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer he received on 5 March in response to Question 114767.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordChina: Overseas InvestmentForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121692More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which research projects her Department funds in China including those marked Beijing sensitive; and what the cost to the UK is of each of those projects.
Answer: I have written to the Rt Hon Member about this matter.
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCraig Foreman and Lindsay ForemanForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 26 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116120More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to secure the release of Lindsay and Craig Foreman.
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 March in response to Question 114825.
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordUkraine: LoansForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 26 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116119More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether in future financing for Ukraine, in line with the policy conditions for macro-financial assistance proposed by the European Parliament and the Council of Europe in it
Answer: We welcome the progress made towards delivery of the EU's €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan: this will be critical to meeting Ukraine's pressing needs. The loan's regulation also makes clear financing may be used by Ukraine to assist in the financing of co...
Answered 4 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRussia: AmmunitionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114768More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of Nikkei's investigation entitled Chinese state company helps Russian ally build ammun
Answer: We have taken action, including sanctions, against entities supporting Russia's military‑industrial complex. As the Prime Minister made clear in Beijing, we continue to urge China to prevent such activity and to use its influence to press Russia towards a...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNorth Korea: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114767More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 24853 on North Korea: Christianity, what assessment she has made of the steps taken by Government of the Democratic Peop
Answer: The UK remains deeply concerned by the ongoing reports of severe persecution in North Korea for those adopting or practicing religion. We welcomed North Korea's participation in the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review's fourth cycle (in Nove...
Answered 5 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordInternational Claims CommissionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 12 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113024More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK's signing of the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine, what the Government’s timeline is for bringing forward the l
Answer: Russia must be held accountable for its illegal actions in Ukraine. The UK is a founding member of the Register of Damage and I signed the Convention to establish an International Claims Commission for Ukraine on 16 December 2025. We expect to lay the tre...
Answered 27 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordChelsea Football Club: SalesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 12 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113023More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has contingency plans in place if funds from the 2022 sale of Chelsea Football Club are not released within the authorised period.
Answer: I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the answer provided on 16 February to question 112094.
Answered 25 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordGeorgia: ElectionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 12 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113022More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department's policies of Amnesty International's press release entitled Georgia: Elections marred by severe
Answer: I am aware of the report in question, and I have raised my own concerns about the imprisonment of opposition figures, pressure on civil society, and attacks on independent media directly with the Georgian Government. The UK will continues to raise those h...
Answered 27 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordUkraine: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112094More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the decision to issue a licence authorising the release within 90 days of the proceeds from the 2022 sale of Chelsea Football Club for humanitarian support
Answer: On 17 December 2025, His Majesty's Government issued a licence which permits the transfer of over £2.5 billion proceeds from the club's sale into a new foundation for humanitarian purposes in Ukraine. We would have preferred to take this action with the c...
Answered 16 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordGeorgia: Politics and GovernmentForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112093More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of the evidence used by the US in its designation of Bidzina Ivanishvili; and whether she has made an asses
Answer: The UK remains resolute in our support for civil society, independent media and democratic freedoms in Georgia. Legislation introduced by the Georgian Government over recent years continues to target non-governmental organisations, opposition leaders and ...
Answered 16 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordNnamdi KanuForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108574More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her Nigerian counterparts regarding the arbitrary detention of Mr Nnamdi Kanu and what steps she is taking to secure his release.
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon member to the answer provided for 87707 on 19 November 2025.
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
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4 Jul 2025–3 Jul 2026. One record per UIN and tabled date; the named department is not a measure of answer quality.
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