Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the draft UK-EU agreement in respect of Gibraltar will require the enactment of UK primary legislation prior to its ratification.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
No primary legislation is required, but the final version of the Treaty will be laid in Parliament for scrutiny in accordance with the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.
Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the achievements of the UK Soft Power Council following the four meetings of the Council held in 2025.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
The UK Soft Power Council continues to play an important role in informing the Government's approach to the promotion of the UK's soft power overseas, and in championing different sectors and organisations that help to achieve that goal. Its next meeting is due to take place in the coming weeks.
Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government why the UK Soft Power Council did not meet during the first five months of 2026.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
The UK Soft Power Council continues to play an important role in informing the Government's approach to the promotion of the UK's soft power overseas, and in championing different sectors and organisations that help to achieve that goal. Its next meeting is due to take place in the coming weeks.
Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the UK Soft Power Council will next meet.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
The UK Soft Power Council continues to play an important role in informing the Government's approach to the promotion of the UK's soft power overseas, and in championing different sectors and organisations that help to achieve that goal. Its next meeting is due to take place in the coming weeks.
Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the report in the Daily Telegraph, ‘Chagos supply mission ‘thwarted by officials’’ published on 11 April, what role, if any, the Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory had in authorising the prevention of humanitarian items, such as bed linen and mosquito nets, from entering Peros Banhos.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
The Commissioner has a constitutional responsibility to discharge the powers conferred on him under the British Indian Ocean Territory (Constitution) Order 2004 and related instruments, and does so with professional diligence. The Commissioner and BIOT Administration is constitutionally and legally separate from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consultations the Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory has held with Chagossians, including those currently resident on Peros Banhos since December 2024.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
The Commissioner has a constitutional responsibility to discharge the powers conferred on him under the British Indian Ocean Territory (Constitution) Order 2004 and related instruments, and does so with professional diligence. The Commissioner and BIOT Administration is constitutionally and legally separate from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory last visited Peros Banhos; and when he next plans to visit that island.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
The Commissioner has a constitutional responsibility to discharge the powers conferred on him under the British Indian Ocean Territory (Constitution) Order 2004 and related instruments, and does so with professional diligence. The Commissioner and BIOT Administration is constitutionally and legally separate from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government who appointed Nishi Dholakia as the Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory; and to whom he is accountable.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
The Commissioner has a constitutional responsibility to discharge the powers conferred on him under the British Indian Ocean Territory (Constitution) Order 2004 and related instruments, and does so with professional diligence. The Commissioner and BIOT Administration is constitutionally and legally separate from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) last visited the BIOT.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
The Commissioner has a constitutional responsibility to discharge the powers conferred on him under the British Indian Ocean Territory (Constitution) Order 2004 and related instruments, and does so with professional diligence. The Commissioner and BIOT Administration is constitutionally and legally separate from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that opposition parties in Nigeria are being subjected to sustained litigation, judicial injunctions and candidate recognition disputes ahead of the 2027 presidential elections; and what discussions they have had with the government of Nigeria about the protection of full opposition participation.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
The State Visit provided an important opportunity to strengthen the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership across growth, security, migration, and foreign policy. As the largest democracy in Africa, Nigeria has an important role to play in upholding democratic norms, including ensuring a free, fair and credible Presidential election in 2027.The UK is supporting key legislative and institutional reform processes in the Nigerian National Assembly, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Judiciary and other key institutions to strengthen Nigeria's democracy. On the issue of violence against Christian communities, I refer the Hon Member to the written ministerial statement published on 27 November 2025 (HCWS1105).