Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have formally requested the consent of the government of Mauritius to publish further details about the trust fund for the Chagossians under the UK–Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
As previously stated, the Government will make a Ministerial Statement ahead of ratification on eligibility for resettlement and the modalities of the Chagossian Trust Fund. We continue to discuss the details of the Trust Fund with Mauritius.
The first meeting of the Chagossian Contact Group, attended by the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials, took place on 2 September 2025. The Contact Group will continue to meet quarterly as part of wider engagement between the UK Government and Chagossian representatives, and we will continue to discuss ways that engagement may be enhanced. Currently, the Group is made up of two representatives from each of the following groups:
· Chagossian Voices
· UK Chagos Refugees Group
· Chagos Islanders Movement
· Chagos Refugees Group (Mauritius)
· Association Chagossiens de France
· Seychellois Chagossians Committee
Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many individuals are members of their Chagossian contact group.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
As previously stated, the Government will make a Ministerial Statement ahead of ratification on eligibility for resettlement and the modalities of the Chagossian Trust Fund. We continue to discuss the details of the Trust Fund with Mauritius.
The first meeting of the Chagossian Contact Group, attended by the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials, took place on 2 September 2025. The Contact Group will continue to meet quarterly as part of wider engagement between the UK Government and Chagossian representatives, and we will continue to discuss ways that engagement may be enhanced. Currently, the Group is made up of two representatives from each of the following groups:
· Chagossian Voices
· UK Chagos Refugees Group
· Chagos Islanders Movement
· Chagos Refugees Group (Mauritius)
· Association Chagossiens de France
· Seychellois Chagossians Committee
Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many times their Chagossian contact group has met since its establishment, and on what dates those meetings were held.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
As previously stated, the Government will make a Ministerial Statement ahead of ratification on eligibility for resettlement and the modalities of the Chagossian Trust Fund. We continue to discuss the details of the Trust Fund with Mauritius.
The first meeting of the Chagossian Contact Group, attended by the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials, took place on 2 September 2025. The Contact Group will continue to meet quarterly as part of wider engagement between the UK Government and Chagossian representatives, and we will continue to discuss ways that engagement may be enhanced. Currently, the Group is made up of two representatives from each of the following groups:
· Chagossian Voices
· UK Chagos Refugees Group
· Chagos Islanders Movement
· Chagos Refugees Group (Mauritius)
· Association Chagossiens de France
· Seychellois Chagossians Committee
Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether a Minister of the Crown has been present at every meeting of their Chagossian contact group.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
As previously stated, the Government will make a Ministerial Statement ahead of ratification on eligibility for resettlement and the modalities of the Chagossian Trust Fund. We continue to discuss the details of the Trust Fund with Mauritius.
The first meeting of the Chagossian Contact Group, attended by the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials, took place on 2 September 2025. The Contact Group will continue to meet quarterly as part of wider engagement between the UK Government and Chagossian representatives, and we will continue to discuss ways that engagement may be enhanced. Currently, the Group is made up of two representatives from each of the following groups:
· Chagossian Voices
· UK Chagos Refugees Group
· Chagos Islanders Movement
· Chagos Refugees Group (Mauritius)
· Association Chagossiens de France
· Seychellois Chagossians Committee
Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish the minutes of the meetings of their Chagossian contact group.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
As previously stated, the Government will make a Ministerial Statement ahead of ratification on eligibility for resettlement and the modalities of the Chagossian Trust Fund. We continue to discuss the details of the Trust Fund with Mauritius.
The first meeting of the Chagossian Contact Group, attended by the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials, took place on 2 September 2025. The Contact Group will continue to meet quarterly as part of wider engagement between the UK Government and Chagossian representatives, and we will continue to discuss ways that engagement may be enhanced. Currently, the Group is made up of two representatives from each of the following groups:
· Chagossian Voices
· UK Chagos Refugees Group
· Chagos Islanders Movement
· Chagos Refugees Group (Mauritius)
· Association Chagossiens de France
· Seychellois Chagossians Committee
Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish the list of members of their Chagossian contact group.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
As previously stated, the Government will make a Ministerial Statement ahead of ratification on eligibility for resettlement and the modalities of the Chagossian Trust Fund. We continue to discuss the details of the Trust Fund with Mauritius.
The first meeting of the Chagossian Contact Group, attended by the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials, took place on 2 September 2025. The Contact Group will continue to meet quarterly as part of wider engagement between the UK Government and Chagossian representatives, and we will continue to discuss ways that engagement may be enhanced. Currently, the Group is made up of two representatives from each of the following groups:
· Chagossian Voices
· UK Chagos Refugees Group
· Chagos Islanders Movement
· Chagos Refugees Group (Mauritius)
· Association Chagossiens de France
· Seychellois Chagossians Committee
Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what conditions, criteria and evidence they used to inform the decisions to lift certain sanctions on Syria.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Sanctions Act and the Regulations made under it provides the legal basis for the UK to impose, vary, and revoke sanctions designations and sectoral sanctions. On 25 April the UK lifted sanctions on several sectors, including trade, energy production, transport (aircraft) and finance, in order to reflect the change in circumstances in Syria, facilitate investment and support the Syrian people to rebuild their country and economy. The UK's sanctions regime continues to hold Assad and his associates to account for atrocities committed against the Syrian people. We keep our sanctions regime under review.
Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether ministers have sought legal advice following the escalation of violence between Israel and Iran.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Ministers receive legal advice as appropriate. It is long-standing practice that Governments of all colours do not disclose the fact that legal advice has or has not been given, nor the content of any such advice. This practice provides the fullest guarantee that government business will be conducted at all times in the light of thorough and candid legal advice.
Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the interim government of Syria; and what steps they are taking to work with allies to maintain stability in that country.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Foreign Secretary visited Damascus on 5 July, to renew UK-Syria relations and reiterate UK support to the new Syrian Government as it seeks to rebuild the economy and deliver an inclusive political transition. A stable Syria is in the UK's interest and we have committed an additional £94.5 million of funding to provide urgent humanitarian aid, and support for Syria's longer-term recovery through education and livelihoods. We also lifted sanctions on some sectors, to help facilitate essential investment. Alongside allies, we continue to advocate and offer support for an inclusive political transition which protects the rights of all Syrians.
Asked by: Lord Callanan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to limit the influence of the government of Iran in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The UK continues to support the Syrian Government to deliver its commitments to build a more stable, free and prosperous future for all Syrians. We have long condemned Iran's reckless and destabilising activity, which puts regional stability at risk. Following Assad's fall, we continue to monitor Iranian activity in Syria.