Mark Francois MP: written questions
4 Jul 2024–3 Jul 2025
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.
92 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Written QuestionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64406More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to answer Question 61737, tabled on 23 June 2025.
Answer: I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member's question. I issued a response to the hon. Member on 3 July.
Answered 9 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Written QuestionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63531More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when his Department plans to answer Question 60828, tabled on 18 June 2025.
Answer: My response to Question 60828 was returned on 02 July.
Answered 7 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63530More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 26 June 2025 to Question 61738 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, which Department will fund costs arising from the function of the Joint Commission; a
Answer: The payments will be split between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Ministry of Defence.As is clear from paragraph 2 of Annex 3, both the UK and Mauritius shall appoint one senior representative as co-chair of the Joint Commission ...
Answered 7 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 62941More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has for allowing parliamentary time for (a) scrutiny and (b) ratification of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garci
Answer: We have consistently said that, once a deal was signed, we would lay it before the House for scrutiny in the usual way. That is exactly what we have done. Parliamentary business will be arranged in the usual way.I have appeared before the IRDC/IAC on 17 J...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61740More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what discussions he has had with Mauritius on its status as a state p
Answer: The United Kingdom will ensure all operations on Diego Garcia comply with our obligations under applicable international law.
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61739More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Annex 3 of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, who will be responsible for appoin
Answer: The UK Government will appoint members of the Joint Commission. These will likely be officials with related responsibilities from relevant departments. There will be no additional remuneration for fulfilling these duties.
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61738More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Annex 3 of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, where meetings of the Joint Commis
Answer: The management of the Joint Commission will be agreed between the Parties as part of the implementation of the Agreement.
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordIran: USAForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61737More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) his US counterpart and (b) other international partners on the compliance of US military strikes on Iran with the United Kingdom’s obliga
Answer: The UK did not participate in the US' strikes. The Foreign Secretary has been engaging with Secretary of State Rubio on a regular basis, to discuss the need for Iran to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and to make progress on a lasting ...
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 19 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61127More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether a judicial review of a Minister's actions in relation to the use of Diego Garcia would be allowed under Article 4 of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos
Answer: The Treaty between the UK and Mauritius regarding sovereignty is not capable of being a source of domestic rights or obligations save to the extent that in due course Parliament enacts provision for them.
Answered 27 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Written QuestionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 19 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61121More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to answer Question (a) 58924, (b) 58928, (c) 58929 and (d) 58932, tabled on 11 June 2025.
Answer: A response has been provided for each of these parliamentary questions on Friday 20 June.
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagossiansForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60828More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to articles 6 and 11 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whethe
Answer: Ahead of ratification, the Government will make a ministerial Statement in both Houses providing a factual update on eligibility for resettlement and the modalities of the trust fund.
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58932More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Annex IV of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, what estimate he has made of the
Answer: Details of the arbitration mechanism, including the identities of arbitrators, will be agreed with Mauritius through the Joint Commission.
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58929More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of a complaint against Mauritius under the Treaty of Pelindaba on the storage of nuclear weapons on Diego Garcia; and whet
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the reply given to his PQs 18902 and 54633.
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58928More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 4 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), which internat
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to his PQ 54633.
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58924More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 54676 on Diego Garcia: Military Bases and with reference to Article 4 of the UK/Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Ar
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the reply given to his PQs 18902 and 54633.
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 57215More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to take legislative steps to support the implementation of the Chagos deal.
Answer: Section 5 of the Explanatory Memorandum sets out the process for Treaty implementation.
Answered 10 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMauritius: SeabedForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56704More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraph 3 of Article 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025),
Answer: Article 3(2) of the treaty clearly states that Mauritius cannot undermine, prejudice or otherwise interfere with the long-term, secure and effective operation of the Base on Diego Garcia, and that Mauritius shall cooperate to that end. The US supports the...
Answered 11 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMauritius: Marine Protected AreasForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56703More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 5(2) of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whether he
Answer: The Blue Belt Programme, which is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, currently supports BIOT to manage the current Marine Protected Area. As the Treaty states, the terms of the management and support provided by the UK to Mauritiu...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56702More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraph 8 of Annex 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), w
Answer: Article 3(2) of the treaty clearly states that Mauritius cannot undermine, prejudice or otherwise interfere with the long-term, secure and effective operation of the Base on Diego Garcia, and that Mauritius shall cooperate to that end. This will ensure th...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56701More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraphs 1(a) to 1(c) of Article 11 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritiu
Answer: Full details of the methodology are set out in the Explanatory Memorandum laid alongside the Treaty. We have published the full costs alongside the Treaty and laid them in the House. The figures are verified by the Government Actuary's Department, drawing...
Answered 11 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Indian Ocean Territory: Maritime ZonesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56700More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 19 and Annexes 5 and 6 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/
Answer: The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) sets out the international legal basis on which States can establish coastal baselines and maritime zones, including a territorial sea and exclusive economic zone. Once the Treaty enters into force, the det...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56168More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 14(1)(h) of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what th
Answer: Article 14 of the Treaty sets out the role of the Joint Commission in resolving disputes while Annex 3 paragraph 6 sets out the functions of the Joint Commission. All decisions of the Joint Commission require the agreement of both parties.
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56167More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 11(1)(h) of the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, what data sources he plan
Answer: As stated in the Finance Exchange of Letters, all annual payments from the 14th year onwards shall be the value of the preceding annual payment adjusted for inflation using the Gross Domestic Product ("GDP") Deflator for the preceding calendar y...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56166More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 2 of the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, if he will make an assessment of
Answer: The International Organisations exchange of letters that was laid alongside the treaty states clearly that the UK's membership of the North Indian Ocean Hydrographic Commission (NIOHC) will change from a 'Full Member' to an 'Associate Member' following en...
Answered 11 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagossians: Government AssistanceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 56164More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 11 of the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, whether he plans to put in plac
Answer: As outlined in the Explanatory Memorandum, the UK will capitalise a Trust Fund established by Mauritius for the benefit of Chagossians. The Mauritian government will oversee the fund, but the UK will work with them to develop its details during implementa...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
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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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