Priti Patel MP: written questions 2025
409 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Chagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 3 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28015More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he shared with the US Administration a copy of the proposed Treaty with Mauritius over the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
Answer: We shared the proposed treaty with the new US Administration upon their taking office. Our primary goal throughout negotiations is to protect the joint UK-US military base in Diego Garcia, which plays a crucial role in regional and international security....
Answered 17 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 3 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28014More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he last discussed the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory with the (a) US and (b) Mauritius government.
Answer: The Foreign Secretary last spoke to the US Secretary of State on 27 January where they discussed a range of shared UK/US priorities, including the long-term protection of the base on Diego Garcia. Officials and Ministers have regular engagement with Mauri...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordUNRWA: FinanceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 3 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28013More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how funding to UNRWA announced in (a) July 2024 and (b) December 2024 has been spent; and whether conditions were imposed on funding provided to UNRWA since July 2024.
Answer: The UK has committed £41 million for United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) this financial year, to deliver essential services for civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, and to Palestinian refugees across the r...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordHamas: UNRWAForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 3 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28012More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information his Department holds on the number of reports of Hamas using UNRWA facilities.
Answer: The Prime Minister was pleased to speak with Emily Damari on 31 January and was deeply moved by her personal story. We are aware of the various reports since 7 October 2023 of Hamas using the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in...
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordHamas: UNRWAForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 3 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28011More
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 use of UNRWA facilities by Hamas since 7 October 2023.
Answer: The Prime Minister was pleased to speak with Emily Damari on 31 January and was deeply moved by her personal story. We are aware of the various reports since 7 October 2023 of Hamas using the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in...
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 27 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26468More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with US counterparts on the (i) the future sovereignty of the British In
Answer: The Foreign Secretary spoke with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on 27 January. The Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State discussed how long-term protection of the base on Diego Garcia is a shared UK and US priority. Ministers and offi...
Answered 3 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordUSA: Foreign RelationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 27 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26467More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what consents are required from US Government to appoint the new UK ambassador to that country.
Answer: The UK follows the universal diplomatic process of agrément, as set out in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Answered 3 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordChinaForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 27 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26466More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Prime Minister had discussions on strategy towards China during his phone call with the President of the United States on 26 January 2025.
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the read out of the Prime Minister's phone call with President Trump on gov.uk.
Answered 30 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordIranForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 27 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26465More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Prime Minister had discussions on strategy towards Iran during his phone call with the President of the United States on 26 January 2025.
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the read out of the Prime Minister's phone call with President Trump on gov.uk.
Answered 30 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 27 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26464More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Prime Minister had discussions on the (a) future of the British Indian Ocean Territory and (b) military base at Diego Garcia during his phone call with the Presid
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the read out of the Prime Minister's phone call with President Trump on gov.uk.
Answered 30 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordChinese Embassy: Planning PermissionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 16 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24422More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what reason his Department notified the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government about the resubmission of the planning application for the Chinese Embassy i
Answer: In the anticipation of press interest in the application, FCDO officials notified colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) of the resubmission of the planning application for the Chinese Embassy in Tower Hamlets. Thi...
Answered 23 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordChinese Embassy: Planning PermissionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 15 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24158More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what verbal discussions his Department has had with representatives of the Chinese government on the planning application for a new Chinese Embassy in London since July 2024.
Answer: The planning application has been called in by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and she will make this decision independent from the rest of Government corresponding to her quasi-judicial role.
Answered 20 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordChinese Embassy: Planning PermissionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 15 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24157More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will publish all (a) correspondence and (b) representations his Department (i) has made and (ii) received on the planning application for the proposed Chinese Embassy s
Answer: The planning application has been called in by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and she will make this decision independent from the rest of Government corresponding to her quasi-judicial role. As you wo...
Answered 20 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 15 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24156More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has received from his Mauritian counterpart on the length of the proposed lease of the military base on Diego Garcia since 3 October 2024.
Answer: The agreement will have a duration of 99 years from entry into force, extendable with the agreement of both parties.
Answered 21 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary Bases: Diego GarciaTreasuryTabled 15 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24155More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 21589 on Military Bases: Diego Garcia, when she plans to publish the costs of the (a) proposed economic partnership and (b) Chagossian Trust Fund; and whether sh
Answer: The UK-Mauritius treaty, which will enable the continued operation of the base on Diego Garcia, alongside the structure of any associated financial obligations, still remains subject to finalisation and signature. It is not normal practice for the UK to c...
Answered 23 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordForeign Relations: ChinaTreasuryTabled 8 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 22601More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the potential impact of closer economic ties with China on (a) the UK economy and (b) public finances.
Answer: The Chancellor visited Beijing and Shanghai for the 2025 UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue. The government published a press statement and policy outcomes paper on Saturday 11 January which lists the outcomes for British businesses and the UK econo...
Answered 17 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Cost EffectivenessForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 22600More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 December 2024 to Question 18362 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Cost Effectiveness, when he expects to be in a position to provi
Answer: The Department expects to have finalised savings plans by April 2025.
Answered 16 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordHong Kong: Human RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 22599More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of recent trends in the prevalence of human right abuses in Hong Kong] and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of such instances
Answer: China's imposition of the National Security Law on Hong Kong has seen opposition stifled and dissent criminalised. The UK continues to call for the National Security Law to be repealed and for an end to the prosecution of all individuals charged under it,...
Answered 15 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordChina: Human RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 22598More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of recent trends in the prevalence of human right abuses in China; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of such instances on
Answer: People across China face widespread restrictions and violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms. China continues to persecute and arbitrarily detain Uyghurs and Tibetans, restrict civil society and independent media, and target human rights defen...
Answered 16 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordAfghanistan: WomenForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 22597More
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 decision by the Taliban to prohibit women and girls from undertaking midwifery and nursing c
Answer: The UK is deeply concerned at reports of a ban on women accessing medical training in Afghanistan, including midwifery education. We have released a statement strongly condemning the decision and officials from the Doha-based UK Mission to Afghanistan hav...
Answered 17 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordAfghanistan: Women's RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 22596More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with his international counterparts to promote the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.
Answer: We have repeatedly condemned Taliban restrictions on women and girls' rights, including through UN Security Council and Human Rights Council resolutions and, most recently, at a G7+ meeting of Special Representatives in Geneva on 16 December. As the Forei...
Answered 17 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordAfghanistan: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 22595More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to provide humanitarian (a) assistance and (b) aid to Afghanistan.
Answer: The UK is taking a leading role in the humanitarian response to the people of Afghanistan and has provided over 2.7 million people with humanitarian assistance in financial year 2023/24. The FCDO is planning £161 million of funding to Afghanistan this fin...
Answered 17 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordListed Places of Worship Grant Scheme: EssexDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 3 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 21600More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, who the recipients were of grants from the Listed Places of Worship Scheme in Essex since 2001; and how much each recipient received.
Answer: Due to a change in the grant administrator, the Department only has such data from August 2022, since then, the Department has paid 351 grants to 135 individual listed places of worship in Essex to a total value of £1,129,393.
Answered 13 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: InfrastructureMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 3 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 21599More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2024 to Question 18359 on Cabinet Office: Infrastructure, which existing projects will count towards the target of 150 major infrastructure
Answer: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 18359 on 18 December 2024.As of 29 January 2025, 9 such projects have already been determined in this Parliament, there are 12 projects that are currently due for decision, and another 15 h...
Answered 29 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordHong Kong: DemonstrationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 3 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 21598More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the (a) Chinese Government and (b) authorities in Hong Kong on reports of the Hong Kong Police offering rewards for the arrests of pro-dem
Answer: The Foreign Secretary issued a statement on 24 December condemning the Hong Kong police's latest arrest warrants and calling on Beijing to repeal the National Security Law. Senior British diplomats have raised these concerns directly with the Hong Kong an...
Answered 13 Jan 2025
Original Parliament record
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