Contributions
1,541 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAfrica: New ApproachLet me pay tribute to the work of the right hon. Gentleman. I served for two years in South Sudan when he was the Development Secretary; I know his commitment to these issues and…16 Dec 2025HANSARDAfrica: New ApproachI reassure my hon. Friend, who has long experience in these matters, that we remain committed to sustainable development goals, poverty reduction and working with local partners.16 Dec 2025HANSARDAfrica: New ApproachMy hon. Friend is a powerful advocate in this area. I know that the Minister responsible for Africa has been considering those issues, and I will ensure that my hon. Friend gets a…16 Dec 2025HANSARDAfrica: New ApproachI am glad to hear a moment of uncharacteristic harmony between the two Benches. Where the work that was started by the previous Government was functioning, we continued it. Where…16 Dec 2025HANSARDAfrica: New ApproachAs I set out, at the centre of the new strategy is a move from simply donation to investment. We are hearing that that new partnership is demanded from across Africa. Let me join…16 Dec 2025HANSARDChagossians: Trust Fund and ResettlementOn 22 May the Diego Garcia treaty was signed and laid before the House. As the Defence Secretary told the House on the day of signature, the treaty secures the strategically…16 Dec 2025HANSARDChagossians: Trust Fund and ResettlementThese issues have been discussed at some length. Mauritius is obviously an important partner for us. I will leave it to the relevant Minister to provide a fuller commentary about…16 Dec 2025HANSARDChagossians: Trust Fund and ResettlementI thank my constituency neighbour for that question. The UK negotiations with the Mauritian Government have had the wishes of the Chagossian people very much at their heart. Some…16 Dec 2025HANSARDChagossians: Trust Fund and ResettlementIn relation to the UN report, I am sure that it will be discussed on Third Reading, when the House of Lords further considers the treaty, and again in this House if that is where…16 Dec 2025HANSARDChagossians: Trust Fund and ResettlementAs colleagues across the House will know, there is a range of views across the Chagossian community. I am not familiar with the Government in exile in any great detail, but I…16 Dec 2025HANSARDChagossians: Trust Fund and ResettlementI am confused whether I am or am not to follow the example of those on the Opposition Benches. My understanding was that Boris Johnson offered large quantities of money to…16 Dec 2025HANSARDChagossians: Trust Fund and ResettlementI thank my hon. Friend for his question. I will ensure he gets a meeting with the relevant Minister.16 Dec 2025HANSARDChagossians: Trust Fund and ResettlementAs I set out in my response to the shadow Foreign Secretary, the trust fund will have a majority of Chagossians on it and a chair appointed by the Chagossians. The conduct of the…16 Dec 2025HANSARDChagossians: Trust Fund and ResettlementThe hon. Gentleman will know that I have been asked an urgent question about the trust fund. That is what I have come prepared to talk about. I am sure that the relevant Minister,…16 Dec 2025HANSARDChagossians: Trust Fund and ResettlementI wonder if the hon. and learned Gentleman accepts all the UN findings—for example in relation to Gaza or UNRWA. There is a wide range of different UN bodies with different…16 Dec 2025HANSARDChagossians: Trust Fund and ResettlementIn the spirit of Christmas, I will not respond to allegations of betrayal. I suspect that Conservative Members will want to chunter throughout this discussion, but they might…16 Dec 2025HANSARDAfrica: New ApproachI addressed the questions of Russia and China somewhat in my previous answer, but let me reassure the shadow Foreign Secretary how central those issues of conflict are to us. I…16 Dec 2025HANSARDAfrica: New ApproachI thank my hon. Friend both for the question and for his dedication to and diligence on these issues. I reassure him of the importance that this Government place on the…16 Dec 2025HANSARDAfrica: New ApproachAfrica matters to the United Kingdom and it matters to this Government, our missions and our plan for change. Africa has the greatest growth potential of any continent, providing…16 Dec 2025HANSARDChagossians: Trust Fund and ResettlementI feel a deep sense of foreboding when the hon. Gentleman chuckles before he asks me a question, as it is an indication that it will be difficult. I think the answer is…16 Dec 2025