International Development

Syria

In response to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Dan Carden):

The hon. Gentleman asked about the situation of the Kurdish community on the north-western border.

In response to my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell):

In relation to the extent of aid, I absolutely agree—the £2.81 billion has been an extraordinary contribution. Last year in Brussels, we made the third largest pledge of £750 million, and the £2.81 billion that has been spent by the United Kingdom is indeed, I believe, a stronger sum than that provided by the European Union altogether over this period.

In response to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Stephen Twigg):

However, in the camps, where the women and children of foreign fighters are concerned, there are no cash transfers. The Secretary of State has taken the view that that would not be appropriate. Cash transfers are extremely valuable in many circumstances. They provide some flexibility for refugees and those who are dependent on them and help people to make easier choices. There is little evidence of any abuse, and it can be a most practical way of delivering aid. But in the particular circumstances of the women and children of foreign fighters, in order to ensure that there was no risk of divergence to terrorist sources, my right hon. Friend took the decision that cash transfers would not be used.

Errors have been identified in the responses I gave to questions on the statement on Syria.

The correct responses should have been:

In response to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Dan Carden):

The hon. Gentleman asked about the situation of the Kurdish community on the north-eastern border.

In response to my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell):

In relation to the extent of aid, I absolutely agree—the £2.81 billion has been an extraordinary contribution. Last year in Brussels, we made the third largest pledge of £750 million, and the £2.81 billion that has been pledged by the United Kingdom is indeed, I believe, a stronger sum than that provided by the European Union altogether over this period.

In response to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Stephen Twigg):

However, in the camps, where the women and children of foreign fighters are concerned, there are no current plans for new cash programming by DFID. The Secretary of State has taken the view that that would not be appropriate. Cash transfers are extremely valuable in many circumstances. They provide some flexibility for refugees and those who are dependent on them and help people to make easier choices. There is little evidence of any abuse, and it can be a most practical way of delivering aid. But in the particular circumstances of the women and children of foreign fighters, in order to ensure that there was no risk of divergence to terrorist sources, my right hon. Friend took the decision that for the moment, new cash programming would not be used.