Priti Patel MP: written questions
377 published records · newest first.
Written questions
East Anglia Rail FranchiseDepartment for TransportTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32994More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has for the (a) future and (b) timetable for nationalisation of the Greater Anglia rail franchise; for (i) future investment and (ii) plans for (A) ticket offices and (B) steps free access in Gre
Answer: The Department announced in December that South-Western Railway’s services will be the first to transfer into public ownership in May 2025, followed by c2c’s services in July 2025 and Greater Anglia’s in the autumn. The Department will issue an expiry not...
Answered 3 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordTaxation: OverpaymentsTreasuryTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32993More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) people and (b) businesses have positive tax balances with HMRC due to overpayments of tax broken down by tax type; what the total value of those balances are; and (i) how many accounts and (ii) the tota
Answer: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) does not hold readily available summary information on taxpayers with positive tax balances. Several regimes require taxpayers to make payments on account or settle tax liabilities ahead of filing returns, and subsequent to...
Answered 4 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyTreasuryTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32992More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with other Cabinet colleagues on the possibility of front-loading payments to Mauritius as part of the proposed UK-Mauritius Treaty on the future sovereignty of the British India Ocean T
Answer: HMT has been engaged on the financial mandate for negotiations with Mauritius. Any UK-Mauritius agreement, alongside the structure of any associated financial obligations, remains subject to finalisation and signature. As lead departments, the FCDO and th...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordLevelling Up Fund: CultureMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32991More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish an explanation for the decision taken in respect of each project that (a) will receive and (b) have had cancelled their share of Levelling Up funding for cult
Answer: Due to the extremely challenging financial situation this government inherited we have had to make difficult choices to prioritise funding within extremely tight budgets.We have carefully considered the responses to our consultation and chosen projects at...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyAttorney GeneralTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32990More
Question: To ask the Solicitor General, whether the Attorney General has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the proposed UK-Mauritius Treaty on the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory; and whether the Attorney
Answer: As with any policy area, policy questions should be directed to the responsible Government department.Regarding legal advice, paragraph 21.27 of Erskine May states: “By long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact of, and substan...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordAttorney General's Office: MauritiusAttorney GeneralTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32989More
Question: To ask the Solicitor General, pursuant to the Answer of 19 February 2025 to Question 30615 on Attorney General: Mauritius, whether the proposed UK-Mauritius Treaty on the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory was discussed during the co
Answer: Pursuant to my answer of 19 February 2025 to Question 30615, the Attorney General’s meeting did not constitute part of formal negotiations. The Attorney General and his Mauritian counterpart discussed relations between our two countries; their respective ...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordSyria: SanctionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32988More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Written Statement HCWS451 of 13 February 2025 on Syria Sanctions, if he will list the Syria Regulations he is planning to change; and what conditions he plans
Answer: As my statement to the House on 10 March made clear, the interim Syrian authorities must ensure the protection of all Syrians and to make progress towards an inclusive political transition. We will judge them by their actions, not their words.On 6 March, ...
Answered 24 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordCommonwealth: Development AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32987More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions (a) he, (b) his ministers and (c) officials from his Department have had with counterparts in the Commonwealth and Commonwealth member countries on reparator
Answer: We fully recognise the horrific impacts and the understandable, ongoing, strength of feeling on the transatlantic slave trade across communities in the UK and the Commonwealth family. Ministers have had no discussions with Commonwealth counterparts focuse...
Answered 10 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32986More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories on 5 February 2025, Official Report, col 760, on the future use
Answer: The government does not routinely disclose private discussions with any organisation, nor disclose legal advice it may have received. International organisations, including UN Specialised Agencies such as the International Telecommunication Union, would b...
Answered 6 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32985More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether changes have been made to the mechanisms by which the proposed lease of the military base on Diego Garcia can be extended in the proposed UK-Mauritius Treaty since 3
Answer: The Treaty will last for an initial 99 years and may be extended for a further 40 years (and beyond) by agreement between the UK and Mauritius. The UK will also have the right to first refusal on the use of Diego Garcia which, if exercised, would prevent ...
Answered 28 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32984More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 February 2025 to Question 28492 on the British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, whether he shared the (a) initial proposed Treaty and (b) rev
Answer: We shared the proposed treaty with the new US Administration upon them taking office.
Answered 6 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32983More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date he took the decision to formally invite the new US Administration to review the proposed treaty between the UK and Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territor
Answer: We shared the proposed treaty with the new US Administration upon them taking office.
Answered 6 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordMauritius: Foreign RelationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32982More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will list ministerial contacts with (a) ministers and (b) representatives of the government of Mauritius since July 2024.
Answer: The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary met the then Mauritian Prime Minister in London on 23 July 2024, and negotiating rounds led to political agreement between the Prime Minister and then Mauritian Prime Minister on 3 October 2024. The Prime Minister'...
Answered 10 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32981More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Mauritian counterpart on maintaining the British Indian Ocean Territory Marine Protected Area; and what representations he has received f
Answer: The UK and Mauritius are committed to cooperating on combatting environmental threats such as illegal fishing, with a shared objective of protecting of the world's most important marine environments. This will include the establishment of a new Mauritian ...
Answered 5 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32980More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Official Development Assistance will be used to fund the (a) trust fund for Chagossians and (b) economic partnership with Mauritius in the proposed UK-Mauritius Treat
Answer: The treaty with Mauritius will include an economic partnership with Mauritius, of which one component will be the Trust Fund for Mauritius to use in support of Chagossians. Details of the Trust Fund will be published as part of the implementation of the A...
Answered 5 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32979More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which ministers across Government have (a) been consulted and (b) taken part in negotiations on the UK-Mauritius Treaty.
Answer: The Foreign Secretary continues to hold regular discussions with Ministerial colleagues on issues related to a treaty with Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territory and the base on Diego Garcia. The UK Government remains committed to reaching an agr...
Answered 5 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32978More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he last had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the (a) financial implications and (b) costs of the proposed UK-Mauritius Treaty.
Answer: The Foreign Secretary continues to hold regular discussions with Ministerial colleagues, including the Chancellor, on issues related to a treaty with Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territory and the base on Diego Garcia. The UK Government remains c...
Answered 5 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Cost EffectivenessForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32977More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has to deliver efficiency savings in his Department in (a) this financial year, (b) 2025-26 and (c) future financial years.
Answer: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has made efficiency savings in this financial year through initiatives outlined in the Government Efficiency Framework. This framework was agreed between the FCDO and HMT during the 2021 Spending Rev...
Answered 13 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordAttorney General's Office: MauritiusAttorney GeneralTabled 11 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30615More
Question: To ask the Solicitor General, how many (a) meetings and (b) discussions (i) the Attorney General and (ii) his officials have had with the representatives of the Government of Mauritius since July 2024.
Answer: Since July 2024, the Attorney General and his officials have had one meeting with a representative of the Government of Mauritius.This was a courtesy meeting with Mr Gavin Glover, the visiting Attorney General of Mauritius, in January 2025.
Answered 19 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordMauritius: Foreign RelationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30614More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many (a) meetings and (b) discussions (i) the Prime Minister and (ii) his officials have had with their Mauritian counterparts since July 2024.
Answer: Ministerial meetings with external organisations will be published in the usual way on gov.uk.
Answered 26 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordChina: Foreign RelationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30611More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when his next scheduled meeting is with representatives of the Chinese Government.
Answer: On 13 February, the Foreign Secretary met the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, in London. The Foreign Secretary does not have any further meetings scheduled with representatives of the Chinese Government at this point.
Answered 24 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30610More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many counter proposals the Government has received from the Mauritian Government on the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory since 3 October 2024.
Answer: It would not have been, nor would it be appropriate to provide a running commentary on private negotiations, not least given the national security issues involved. When the treaty text is finalised and agreed, it will be laid before Parliament, which will...
Answered 25 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordMauritius: Foreign RelationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30609More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many (a) meetings and (b) discussions (i) he and (ii) Ministers from his Department have had with their Mauritian counterparts since July 2024.
Answer: The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary met the then Mauritian Prime Minister in London on 23 July 2024, and negotiating rounds led to political agreement between the Prime Minister and then Mauritian Prime Minister on 3 October 2024. The Prime Minister'...
Answered 24 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30608More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government has agreed any changes to (a) the proposed treaty and (b) financial arrangements connected to the agreement with Mauritius announced on 3 October 2024
Answer: In the house I have said repeatedly that I will not provide a running commentary on this matter. We have reached an agreement with Mauritius, but the final text of the proposed treaty, as well as the financial arrangements are still being finalised and it...
Answered 25 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordMauritius: Foreign RelationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28493More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has received from his Mauritian counterpart since 15 January 2025.
Answer: The Foreign Secretary has received no direct representations from his Mauritian counterpart since 15 January.
Answered 17 Feb 2025
Original Parliament record
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