Neil Shastri-Hurst 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.
25 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Foreign RelationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 12 May 2025AnsweredUIN 51656More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has with his counterparts in (a) Japan, (b) Australia and (c) the United States on (i) defence, (ii) trade and (iii) foreign policy relations.
Answer: We continue to engage with our allies across the world on defence, trade and foreign policy relations. It is the long-standing practice of successive governments not to comment on matters of national security and private diplomatic meetings. I refer the R...
Answered 19 May 2025
Original Parliament recordChina: Foreign RelationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 May 2025AnsweredUIN 51047More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has to review his Department's strategic approach to relations with China.
Answer: This Government is taking a consistent, long term and strategic approach to managing the UK's relations with China, rooted in UK and global interests. To help inform this, a team in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been conducting a fu...
Answered 13 May 2025
Original Parliament recordHong Kong: Civil LibertiesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 May 2025AnsweredUIN 51046More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the state of freedoms in Hong Kong; and what steps the Government is taking to support the rights of British National (Overseas
Answer: The UK has deep and longstanding ties with Hong Kong. However, as set out in detail in the Government's successive Six-monthly Reports on Hong Kong, the continued erosion of rights and freedoms threatens Hong Kong's way of life. China's imposition of the ...
Answered 16 May 2025
Original Parliament recordXinjiang and Tibet: Ethnic GroupsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 May 2025AnsweredUIN 51045More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Chinese counterpart on the treatment of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang and Tibet.
Answer: The UK Government stands firm on human rights in China, including the repression of people in Xinjiang and Tibet.We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor and Energy Secretary all raised human rights re...
Answered 16 May 2025
Original Parliament recordRussia: SanctionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50715More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of sanctions in deterring further atrocities in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine.
Answer: Working with partners, our Russia sanctions are restricting Putin's war machine and degrading his military. Sanctions have deprived Russia of at least $450 billion since February 2022. They are increasing equipment costs and delays and reducing equipment ...
Answered 13 May 2025
Original Parliament recordUkraine: Crimes of AggressionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50714More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps with his international counterparts to establish an international register of damage caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Answer: The UK is a founding member and Chair of the Conference of Participants for the Register of Damage for Ukraine, which allows Ukrainians to record losses, injury, or damage suffered as a result of the war. In March, the Board took several steps to increase...
Answered 13 May 2025
Original Parliament recordUkraine: Crimes of AggressionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50713More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on establishing a special tribunal to prosecute crimes of aggression against Ukraine.
Answer: The UK is fully behind efforts to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, and UK officials have played an important role in this process so far. The Foreign Secretary has just returned from Lviv where, alongside represent...
Answered 13 May 2025
Original Parliament recordUkraine: War CrimesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50712More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to support the (a) documentation and (b) investigation of alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine.
Answer: The UK is actively involved in initiatives aimed at ensuring allegations of war crimes committed in Ukraine are fully and fairly investigated, by independent, effective, and robust legal mechanisms. This includes our work with the Office of the Prosecutor...
Answered 13 May 2025
Original Parliament recordDarfur: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48708More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) support humanitarian efforts and (b) promote peace and stability in the Darfur region of Sudan; and what steps he is taking with in
Answer: The human cost of the conflict in Sudan is appalling with the warring parties showing a total disregard for human life. The conflict has caused the largest and most severe crisis globally with 64 per cent of the population in urgent need of assistance. Th...
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordDeveloping Countries: Disease ControlForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48707More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of global health crises on fragile states; and what steps he is taking to support these countries in (a) stren
Answer: The Government recognises that global health crises pose a major threat to the heath, stability, and economic prosperity of fragile states. Working in fragile states is complex and each setting has its own unique challenges, and where possible the UK work...
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordDisease Control: National SecurityForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48705More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to (a) evaluate and (b) mitigate the impact of global health crises on the United Kingdom's (i) national security, (ii) public health, (ii
Answer: The Government recognises the threat global health crises pose for UK national security and prosperity, noting that the threat of another global pandemic is specifically highlighted in the UK National Risk Register. The Government has a multifaceted appro...
Answered 6 May 2025
Original Parliament recordRussia: SanctionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48704More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of UK sanctions against (a) individuals and (b) entities connected to the Russian Federation; and what steps he is tak
Answer: Our sanctions have deprived Russia of at least $450 billion since February 2022. The Russian economy is battling high and rising inflation. High interest rates have made Russian government borrowing extremely costly. This Government is committed to ensuri...
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordUkraine: War CrimesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48703More
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 alleged war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine; and what steps his Department is taki
Answer: The UK has been at the forefront of international efforts to ensure Russia is held to account for its actions resulting from the illegal invasion of Ukraine. We led international efforts by 39 International Criminal Court (ICC) State Parties in February 2...
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordUkraine: Development AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47031More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to the ODA budget on the level of support provided by the Government for the (a) investigation and (b) prosecut
Answer: The impact of Official Development Assistance cuts on specific programmes is being worked through following the decision but the Prime Minister has reassured that Ukraine will remain a priority. The UK is committed to ensuring Russia is held to account fo...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSpaceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40847More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he has taken to help develop international (a) norms, (b) rules and (c) principles on responsible behaviours in space since 5 July 2024.
Answer: The UK has been advocating and building international support for norms, rules and principles of responsible space behaviours at the United Nations to tackle threats to space systems, reduce the risk of conflict and preserve strategic stability. Since 5 J...
Answered 1 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordChina: Diplomatic ServiceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40312More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of British diplomats posted to China have language proficiency in Chinese at CEFR level C1 or higher.
Answer: As of March 2025, 64 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) staff have achieved qualifications in Mandarin at C1 or C2 level (in the Common European Framework Reference scale) over the past five years. FCDO language qualifications are valid f...
Answered 28 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordRussia: Diplomatic ServiceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40311More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of British diplomats posted to Russia have language proficiency in Russian at CEFR level C1 or higher.
Answer: Around 70 members of staff of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office currently have valid exam passes in Russian at C1 level or above. Exam passes are valid for five years.
Answered 4 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGeorgia: RussiaForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35074More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the risk of interference by Russia in Georgia.
Answer: Georgia remains at the forefront of Russian hybrid aggression, with Russian military units stationed just 30 minutes from the capital, Tbilisi. In December 2024 I discussed with Georgian Dream representative, Maka Botcharishvili, Russian interference in G...
Answered 10 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordIran: National SecurityForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 13 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23613More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for the Home Department to help deter malign Iranian activity in the UK.
Answer: Iran's malign activity is unacceptable. In response the to the regime's human rights violations, nuclear weapons programme, malign influence internationally and state threats, the UK has more than 450 sanctions designations in place on Iranian individuals...
Answered 21 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordUkraine: ReconstructionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18765More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to authorise the use of frozen Russian state assets to finance the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Answer: This Government is clear that Russia must be held responsible for its illegal war. That includes its obligations under international law to pay for the damage it has caused in Ukraine. Working with allies, we continue to pursue all possible lawful avenues...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordUkraine: Economic SituationForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8022More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure macroeconomic stability in Ukraine.
Answer: Since February 2022 the UK has provided fiscal assistance worth £4.1 billion via guarantees for World Bank lending to support Ukraine's economic stability. This includes multi-year assistance worth $3 billion, which will be delivered in yearly $1 billion ...
Answered 16 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordWeapons of Mass Destruction: ProliferationForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8020More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help prevent proliferation of (a) nuclear and (b) biological weapons.
Answer: The UK remains committed to supporting and implementing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a vital pillar of the international peace and security architecture. The NPT has created the non-proliferation framework that has both limited the spread o...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordChina: CybersecurityForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3538More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the level of cyber security threat posed by China.
Answer: This Government will take a consistent, long term and strategic approach to managing the UK's relations with China, rooted in UK and global interests. We will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must.We continue to se...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordMiddle East: Conflict PreventionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3536More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help tackle the destabilising activities of Iran in the Middle East.
Answer: Iran continues to provide military, financial and political support to its proxies and partners -jeopardising international security. Iran has also threatened the security of its regional neighbours by attacking Pakistani, Iraqi, Syrian and Israeli territ...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordChina: Foreign RelationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3535More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will undertake a review of attempts by China to influence UK (a) politicians and (b) Government.
Answer: The UK will bring a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing the UK's relations with China, rooted in UK and global interests. This Government has committed to carry out an audit of the full breadth of the UK's relationship with China as a...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
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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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