Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Israeli counterparts on the use of military equipment supplied by the UK in military operations within (a) Gaza and (b) the West Bank.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
There are no export licences currently being used for military operations in Gaza or the West Bank. This is subject to the specific measures taken to protect the global F-35 programme.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) support and (b) workplace protections are available to civil servants within the Department who have voiced concerns on Israel's conduct in Gaza.
Answered by Catherine West
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to ensuring high standards of conduct in all that it does. It is the job of civil servants to deliver on the policies of the government of the day and to provide professional, impartial advice as set out in the Civil Service Code. We are proud of the work they do.
There are dedicated policies and processes in place which allow them to raise concerns if they have them without fear of victimisation, subsequent discrimination, disadvantage or dismissal. The FCDO also offers a range of pastoral care and support to staff including an Employee Assistance Programme for staff experiencing any personal or work-related issues.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Israeli counterpart on incidents between 1 and 3 June 2025 near aid distribution sites in Gaza.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains extremely challenging. We are appalled by repeated reports of mass casualty incidents in which Palestinians have been killed when trying to access aid sites. We call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events, and for the perpetrators to be held to account. The UK will not support any aid mechanism that seeks to deliver political or military objectives or puts vulnerable civilians at risk. We have repeatedly and publicly called on Israel to urgently engage with the UN to ensure a return to delivery of aid in line with humanitarian principles.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Israeli counterpart on (a) de-escalating the conflict in Gaza and (b) the two-state solution.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign Secretary continues to engage regularly with his Israeli counterparts. Following the release of US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander on 12 May, the Foreign Secretary urged Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar of the need for an end to the aid blockade and for all parties to push towards an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages who remain in Gaza. He also continues to raise his strong concern at accelerated settlement expansion in the West Bank. The UK Government continues to engage with Israeli counterparts on a variety of issues, including the conflict in Gaza. This engagement is vital for the UK as we continue to press towards a long-lasting ceasefire which is the only credible pathway towards a sustainable peace, a two-state solution and the reconstruction of Gaza.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the (a) Pakistani and (b) Indian authorities to encourage de-escalation of military tensions along the line of control.
Answered by Catherine West
The UK Government is taking all the steps we can to ensure that recent developments do not lead to uncontrolled escalation. We encourage India and Pakistan to commit to effective channels of engagement to safeguard stability in the region. Alongside international partners, the UK will continue to engage in dialogue in pursuit of long-term regional stability. The Foreign Secretary is in regular dialogue with his Indian and Pakistani counterparts to encourage all parties to take a measured approach. He is also in contact with US Secretary Rubio, French Foreign Minister Barrot and Gulf Partners to discuss the situation.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to (a) facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and (b) ensure the safety of aid workers in Gaza.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We call on the Government of Israel to abide by its obligations under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) to ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the population in Gaza. The Foreign Secretary reiterated this in his meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 15 April. On 23 April, we issued a statement, together with France and Germany, calling for Israel to immediately re-start a rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza and expressed our outrage at recent strikes on humanitarian personnel, infrastructure, premises and healthcare facilities. We continue to make representations to the Government of Israel to ensure aid workers are protected and able to carry out their lifesaving work, to urgently restore deconfliction systems, and to call for full and transparent investigations and accountability for attacks on humanitarian workers.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) estimate he has made of the numbers of and (b) assessment he has made of the (i) risks to and (ii) adequacy of (A) advice and (B) support for British nationals near the border between India and Pakistan.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We continue to monitor the situation between India and Pakistan. The safety of British nationals is our top priority, and our staff stand ready to provide support British nationals overseas 24/7. We are keeping our travel advice under constant review. We have already issued factual updates about military action, and associated airspace closures. British nationals should stay up to date with our travel advice for the country they are in.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that de-escalation of military tensions in Kashmir are discussed in meetings with the (a) Indian and (b) Pakistani governments.
Answered by Catherine West
The UK Government is taking all the steps we can to ensure that recent developments do not lead to uncontrolled escalation. We encourage all to commit to effective channels of engagement to safeguard stability in the region. Alongside international partners, the UK will continue to engage in dialogue in pursuit of long-term regional stability. The Foreign Secretary has spoken to his Indian and Pakistani counterparts to encourage all parties to take a measured approach. He has also spoken with US Secretary Rubio, French Foreign Minister Barrot and Gulf Partners to discuss the situation.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure the economic stability of the Falkland Islands and other Overseas Territories when responding to US tariffs.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
HM Government is working closely with the governments of the Falkland Islands and other affected Overseas Territories to understand the impact of the US tariffs, including facilitating access to UK Department for Business and Trade expertise. I spoke with the Chair of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly shortly after the tariffs were announced where I offered our full support. We continue to work closely with the Governments of the Overseas Territories to support their economic development.
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to assess the potential impact of US tariffs on the Falkland Islands and other Overseas Territories.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
HM Government is working closely with the governments of the Falkland Islands and other affected Overseas Territories to understand the impact of the US tariffs, including facilitating access to UK Department for Business and Trade expertise. I spoke with the Chair of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly shortly after the tariffs were announced where I offered our full support. We continue to work closely with the Governments of the Overseas Territories to support their economic development.