Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps she has taken with the Government of Nicaragua on restrictions on the importation and distribution of religious materials; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of those restrictions on freedom of religion or belief.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 3 November in response to Question 85308.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Chancellor's written statement of 5 January 2026, UIN HCWS1219, whether the government's response to the Office for Budget Responsibility's Spring forecast will be an oral or written statement to Parliament.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

As set out in a written statement to Parliament last week, the Chancellor has asked the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to prepare an economic and fiscal forecast for publication on 3 March 2026. The Chancellor will deliver an oral statement to the House in response.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her counterpart in Venezuela on the (a) vandalism of the Cuasia Church and (b) death threats issued towards Fr. Juan Manuel León.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Protecting the Freedom of Religion or Belief is an important objective for the UK all over the world. As part of our efforts to press for a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela, we will reinforce the importance of ensuring that the rights of all Venezuelans are upheld, including members of the church.

Found: Horley) Bobby Dean (Liberal Democrat; Carshalton and Wallington) Jim Dickson (Labour; Dartford) John Glen

Found: John Glen is nodding at that. John Glen: It was very efficient.

Found: Horley) Bobby Dean (Liberal Democrat; Carshalton and Wallington) Jim Dickson (Labour; Dartford) John Glen

Found: Horley) Bobby Dean (Liberal Democrat; Carshalton and Wallington) Jim Dickson (Labour; Dartford) John Glen

Found: Horley) Bobby Dean (Liberal Democrat; Carshalton and Wallington) Jim Dickson (Labour; Dartford) John Glen

Found: present: Dame Meg Hillier (Chair); Dame Harriett Baldwin; Chris Coghlan; Bobby Dean; Jim Dickson; John Glen

Found: general the committee discussed other issues, though the reform to gambling taxation was raised by John Glen