Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 April 2025 to Question 41270 on MI6: Stonewall, for what reason the Secret Intelligence Service has a membership.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Secret Intelligence Service does not comment publicly on internal policy decisions.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what guidance his Department has issued to ambassadors on (a) declaring and (b) reporting their interests.
Answered by Catherine West
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has established comprehensive policies and procedures to ensure transparency and accountability among its ambassadors. These guidelines are designed to mitigate conflicts of interest and maintain high ethical standards. Ambassadors are required to declare any personal or business interests that may influence their judgement in performing their duties. They must also report any gifts and hospitality they receive. The FCDO maintains an internal register for these declarations, which is regularly reviewed to uphold the integrity of the diplomatic service.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2025 to Question 23482 on 11 Downing Street: Council Tax, whether he pays council tax on his official Ministerial residence in Carlton Gardens as a (a) sole or main residence, (b) single person discount and (c) second homes premium in 2025-26.
Answered by Catherine West
The Foreign Secretary pays the necessary council tax on 1 Carlton Gardens.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20252 on Universities: China, what the terms of reference are of the audit of the UK’s interests with regards to China; and whether he plans to publish a report at the end of the exercise.
Answered by Catherine West
The China Audit will improve the UK's ability to understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities China poses. The widespread consultation process, within and beyond government, has already informed the government's approach to and engagement with China. The audit will set out a long-term, consistent approach to our relationship. Its findings, which will also inform other important developments such as the forthcoming National Security Strategy and Industrial Strategy, will be shared with Parliament and other stakeholders in due course.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support global health initiatives.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has long been a champion of global health, and we are one of the largest donors to global health multilaterals worldwide. From our WHO partnership, helping to save over 40 million lives, to our investment in Gavi to support them to immunise 300 million children, and in the Global Fund to save over 1.2 million lives, our dedication and commitment to combating global health challenges is clear. And through the Pandemic Accord, we will help safeguard lives, livelihoods and economic stability in this country and globally from future pandemics.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 February 2025 to Question 28503 on USA: Diplomatic Service, if he will publish that guidance on publication of declarations of interest.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Cabinet Office guidance outlines the process for declaring and resolving conflicts of interest for Senior Civil Servants. The guidance can be found on Gov.uk.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has allocated funding to Client Earth since 4 July 2024.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Based on review of available data held centrally, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not allocated any funds to Client Earth since July 2024.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2024 to Question 11266 on UK Special Representative for Climate Change, what the declaration of interest is that has been made by the Special Representative; and what steps his Department has taken to reduce any associated conflict of interest.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Special Representative for Climate Change submitted a Declaration of Interests Form as per the standard procedure for an appointment of this sort. Provisions in her terms of engagement on conduct in office include mechanisms to address any conflict of interest should it arise.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 26 February 2025 to Question HL5029 on Stonewall: Arms Length Bodies and Government Departments, whether he plans to allocate funding to Stonewall after 2025-26.
Answered by Catherine West
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) LGBT+ rights programme, which started in 2023 , aims to transform the lives of millions of LGBT+ people around the world. This is done by tackling systematic violence, persecution, and exclusion by addressing outdated discriminatory laws, promoting protective legislation, empowering civil society organisations, and supporting the most vulnerable LGBT+ people in conflict and crisis. As part of this programme, the FCDO partners with Stonewall, with two agreements in place until March 2028. Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations and the impact on programmes are being worked through following the decision to reduce UK ODA from 0.5 per cent of gross national income to 0.3 per cent in 2027. We will set out our spending plans following the completion of the spending review.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his speech entitled The Locarno Speech by the Foreign Secretary: January 2025, published on 9 January 2025; for what reasons were part of the speech redacted; and whether the Government issues guidance on party political speeches in Government buildings.
Answered by Catherine West
In this speech, the Foreign Secretary set out his vision for how the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will help deliver this Government's Plan for Change and its approach to foreign policy. The essential nature of the speech was not party political. Any party political content was redacted from the gov.uk publication, as per guidance.