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1666776

registered interest
date	18/10/2023
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Commonwealth: Foreign Relations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to strengthen the UK's relationship with Commonwealth countries.
tabling member constituency	Basingstoke
tabling member printed	Dame Maria Miller
uin	906672
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2023 answer text <p>The UK is deeply committed to the Commonwealth. We provide significant bilateral aid to Commonwealth countries, totalling over £608 million in 2022. We continue to support a range of Commonwealth initiatives, as the largest donor to many Commonwealth inter-governmental organisations. Our focus is on increasing intra-Commonwealth trade &amp; investment, building resilience to climate change and promoting our shared values.</p> answering member constituency Sutton Coldfield answering member printed Mr Andrew Mitchell question first answered 24/10/2023 14:39:27 answering member 1211 label Biography information for Mr Andrew Mitchell
tabling member	1480 label Biography information for Dame Maria Miller

1608837

registered interest
date	29/03/2023
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Commonwealth: Foreign Relations
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish (1) details, and (2) minutes, of the meeting of Commonwealth foreign ministers in March.
tabling member printed	Baroness Adams of Craigielea
uin	HL6962
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/04/2023 answer text <p>The Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) was organised and hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat on 15 March 2023. The Foreign Secretary made clear the UK's desire to work with partner nations to deliver tangible benefits for Commonwealth countries and citizens, in particular on trade and investment, climate and values. The Commonwealth Secretariat published details of the meeting on their website: https://thecommonwealth.org/news/commonwealth-foreign-affairs-ministers-meet-discuss-responses-global-crises.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 05/04/2023 15:58:56 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	631 label Biography information for Baroness Adams of Craigielea

1604838

registered interest
date	16/03/2023
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Commonwealth: Foreign Relations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will publish the minutes of his bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of (a) Rwanda, (b) Ghana, (c) Nigeria and (d) Kenya at the 22nd Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting on 15 March 2023.
tabling member constituency	West Ham
tabling member printed	Ms Lyn Brown
uin	167073
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2023 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary had constructive discussions with many of his counterparts from the Commonwealth during the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting on 15 March 2023, covering a wide range of bilateral and multilateral issues. The Foreign Secretary looks forward to working with them and other member states as part of the Commonwealth family, particularly on areas where the Commonwealth can deliver tangible benefits for its members, namely strengthening intra-Commonwealth trade, building resilience to climate change and promoting democracy and good governance.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 24/03/2023 12:30:03 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

1540442

registered interest
date	08/11/2022
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Commonwealth: Foreign Relations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen relations with Commonwealth countries.
tabling member constituency	Basingstoke
tabling member printed	Dame Maria Miller
uin	902127
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2022 answer text <p>We are committed to deepening our ties with all Commonwealth countries, including on trade. Since April last year, we have signed free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand and are negotiating further FTAs with India and Canada.</p><p>We are also working with Commonwealth partners to deliver on the commitments made at CHOGM, including on climate, health and human rights.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 08/11/2022 16:30:11 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	1480 label Biography information for Dame Maria Miller

1540001

registered interest
date	07/11/2022
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Commonwealth: Foreign Relations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen relations with Commonwealth partners.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	80641
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2022 answer text <p>The UK is working with our Commonwealth partners to deliver on the commitments made at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali. We want to see a Commonwealth which delivers greater benefits for all member states across a range of policy priorities, including climate, human rights, health, education and security. We are building long-term partnerships on shared priorities such as on trade, where we have secured Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with Australia and New Zealand and are negotiating further FTAs with Canada and India. The UK has also secured Economic Partnerships Agreements covering 27 Commonwealth African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 15/11/2022 16:19:48 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1388053

registered interest
date	15/12/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Commonwealth: Foreign Relations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she last met with the Secretary General of the Commonwealth.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	93898
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/01/2022 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary last met the Commonwealth Secretary-General when she chaired a virtual Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) on 16 September, her first full day in office. Ministers discussed vital issues including building better from COVID-19.</p> answering member constituency Cannock Chase answering member printed Amanda Milling question first answered 10/01/2022 16:27:00 answering member 4454 label Biography information for Dame Amanda Milling
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1185346

registered interest
date	16/03/2020
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Commonwealth: Foreign Relations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to promote bilateral relations with the Commonwealth.
tabling member constituency	North East Hampshire
tabling member printed	Mr Ranil Jayawardena
uin	30063
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2020 answer text <p>The UK marked Commonwealth Day on 9 March. In his statement, the Prime Minister outlined the enduring bond between the Commonwealth network of 54 countries, who are united in its promotion of peace, democracy and human rights. At Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018 (CHOGM18) in London, the UK announced £500m of projects and programmes to support delivery of the Commonwealth leaders commitments under the headings of security, prosperity, democracy and sustainability. After hosting CHOGM18, the UK took up the role of Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, a position held by the Commonwealth country which has hosted the most recent CHOGM.</p><p>The UK has been an active Chair-in-Office, committed to strengthening and renewing the Commonwealth, through its three pillars - the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Member States and Commonwealth organisations and networks. We have driven delivery of Commonwealth leaders commitments, supported the Commonwealth to have a stronger voice as an advocate for multilateral cooperation in the rules-based international system and increased solidarity between members. The UK has also championed reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat.</p><p>Initiatives have been undertaken in a diverse range of policy areas, from climate change and marine protection, to cyber security, mediation of conflict and promotion of intra-Commonwealth trade. 31 Commonwealth countries are together now tackling marine plastic pollution, whilst over 3,000 women entrepreneurs across the Commonwealth have been supported to internationalise their businesses, and barriers to trade have been reduced.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 20/03/2020 12:19:06 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4498 label Biography information for Mr Ranil Jayawardena

1183972

registered interest
date	10/03/2020
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Commonwealth: Foreign Relations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to develop and strengthen relations between the UK and its Commonwealth allies.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	27522
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2020 answer text <p>The UK marked Commonwealth Day on 9 March and in his statement our Prime Minister outlined the enduring bond between the Commonwealth network of 54 countries, who are united in its promotion of peace, democracy and human rights. At Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018 (CHOGM18) in London, the UK announced £500m of projects and programmes to support delivery of the Commonwealth leaders commitments under the headings of security, prosperity, democracy and sustainability. After hosting CHOGM18, the UK took up the role of Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, a position held by the Commonwealth country which has hosted the most recent CHOGM.</p><p>The UK has been an active Chair-in-Office, committed to strengthening and renewing the Commonwealth, through its three pillars - the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Member States and Commonwealth organisations and networks. We have driven delivery of Commonwealth leaders commitments, supported the Commonwealth to have a stronger voice as an advocate for multilateral cooperation in the rules-based international system and increased solidarity between members. The UK has also championed reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat.</p><p>Initiatives have been undertaken in a diverse range of policy areas, from climate change and marine protection, to cyber security, mediation of conflict and promotion of intra-Commonwealth trade. 31 Commonwealth countries are together now tackling marine plastic pollution, whilst over 3,000 women entrepreneurs across the Commonwealth have been supported to internationalise their businesses, and barriers to trade have been reduced.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 19/03/2020 15:55:17 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1175125

registered interest
date	20/01/2020
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Commonwealth: Foreign Relations
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to build closer social and economic ties between the UK and other Commonwealth countries, in particular Canada, Australia and New Zealand, after Brexit.
tabling member printed	Lord Browne of Belmont
uin	HL553
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2020 answer text <p>The UK is committed to working with the three pillars of the Commonwealth – the Secretariat, its member states, and its civil society organisations and networks - to build closer social and economic ties. We were particularly pleased to host Commonwealth partners, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, at the sixth Commonwealth Trade Ministers' Meeting in London last October. The meeting reaffirmed our shared commitment to deepening trade and investment ties across the Commonwealth, including through our plans for Free Trade Agreements following our departure from the EU. Canada, Australia and New Zealand are close and natural partners based on our shared history and values. These are invaluable relationships for the UK, which are further strengthened through our Commonwealth cooperation.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/02/2020 13:59:36 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3801 label Biography information for Lord Browne of Belmont

1111121

registered interest
date	10/04/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Commonwealth: Foreign Relations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to promote the Commonwealth; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Solihull
tabling member printed	Julian Knight
uin	243490
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2019 answer text <p>The Government is committed to promoting the Commonwealth within the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth in partnership with its other 52 members, and in the wider international community.</p><p>A year ago, the Government hosted a highly successful Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which was attended by 46 Heads of Government. As current Chair-in-Office, the United Kingdom is driving the delivery of commitments which Heads made at that meeting. Progress in that effort was set out by my Right Honorable Friend the Foreign &amp; Commonwealth Secretary in a Written Ministerial Statement on 14 January. The Foreign &amp; Commonwealth Office will shortly submit a more detailed update to the Foreign Affairs Committee.</p><p>Last September, in her speech to the UN General Assembly, the Prime Minister spoke about the Commonwealth's work and values, and she spoke explicitly as Chair-in-Office on behalf of all 53 Commonwealth members - the first time the Commonwealth's voice has been heard in the UN General Assembly in that way.</p><p>Also demonstrating our commitment to the Commonwealth, we are opening nine new diplomatic missions in Commonwealth countries: Lesotho, Eswatini, The Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. We will then be diplomatically represented in 47 Commonwealth countries.</p><p>On Commonwealth Day in March, UK diplomatic missions around the world organised events to celebrate the work and values of the Commonwealth. These ranged from a fashion show in Singapore focused on recycled materials, to an event in Brasilia exploring how the global Commonwealth community is working together to achieve the goals set out at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting last year, aimed at a more sustainable, more secure, more fair and more prosperous future. In the UK, the Commonwealth flag was flown from government buildings and by local councils across the United Kingdom.</p> answering member constituency Cities of London and Westminster answering member printed Mark Field question first answered 23/04/2019 14:00:50 answering member 1405 label Biography information for Mark Field
tabling member	4410 label Biography information for Julian Knight