Found: Baroness Chapman of Darlington Minister for International Development and Africa Foreign, Commonwealth

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 5 January (HL13210), whether in the past 20 years they have undertaken a study of the merits of the UK joining the European Development Bank; if so (1) when this was, and (2) whether a report of the study was laid before Parliament; and if not, why not.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

There is no record of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office having undertaken a formal study of the potential merits of membership of the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB). The government keeps the potential membership of various international organisations under periodic review but our current position on the CEB remains as set out in our previous responses.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 5 January (HL13151), where the information about whether the conviction of Jimmy Lai represents a breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration is located in the statement or response in the House of Lords on 17 December 2025 (HL Deb cols 798–806).

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

At Column 799, in the Foreign Secretary's statement.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington 13 January 2026 (HL13296), what plans they have to support the network of Women Mediators Across the Commonwealth in 2026.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office discontinued funding to this specific programme at the end of the 2024/25 financial year, but - as set out in my previous answers - we remain committed to UK leadership in driving forward the Women, Peace and Security agenda, through other programmes in the Commonwealth and beyond, and through our role as penholder on UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 5 January (HL13152), where the information about the representations they have made to the (1) government of China, and (2) authorities in Hong Kong, regarding the admission of evidence obtained through the reported torture of Andy Li and cited during the trial of Jimmy Lai is located in the statement or response in the House of Lords on 17 December 2025 (HL Deb cols 798–806).

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

These were among the representations that the Foreign Secretary referred to in her opening statement, at Column 800, and again - in response to Lord Oates - at Columns 802-803.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 5 January (HL13153), where the information about what consideration the Prime Minister has given to delaying his official visit to China in January until Jimmy Lai has been released from prison is located in the statement or response in the House of Lords on 17 December 2025 (HL Deb cols 798–806).

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

At Column 804, in response to the Noble Lord's question on the matter.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 29 December 2025 (HL12894), what specific plans they have, if any, to develop the work of the network of Women Mediators Across the Commonwealth in 2026.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

We remain committed to UK leadership in defending and driving forward the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, including through our role as penholder on UN Security Council Resolution 1325. The UK's WPS National Action Plan sets out the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's commitment to improving women's full, equal, meaningful and safe participation in political dialogue and peace processes.

Found: and Women and Equalities Sir Chris Bryant MP Minister of State for Trade The Rt Hon Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Found: Bell Counsel 1 See Hansard, Volume 843, Wednesday 29th January 2025 at 3:37pm where Baroness Chapman of Darlington