Contributions
1,916 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAfrica: Sovereign DebtWe look at every way of helping to address the problem that the hon. Lady sets out. We are providing bilateral technical assistance to help many countries better manage their…13 Dec 2022HANSARDSupporting DemocraciesOfficials have assessed the merits of establishing an FCDO centre of expertise to support democratic governance around the world; and, funding permitting, we fully intend to…13 Dec 2022HANSARDSupporting DemocraciesI certainly will, and I congratulate the Westminster Foundation for Democracy on its 30 years. Across the House, Members have advanced democracy and accountability and, despite…13 Dec 2022HANSARDSupporting DemocraciesYes. That is a very good point, and we will enhance and emphasise the work in a perfectly seamless, joined-up approach.13 Dec 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend has a long track record of pursuing these important matters. We are raising this matter with the Government of Pakistan, and we will make sure he hears the outcome…13 Dec 2022HANSARDAfrica: Sovereign DebtThe shadow Minister makes a good point. I think she is referring specifically to vulture funds, which we will certainly address. I want to make it clear to the House that we are…13 Dec 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe first thing to say is that the pause has now been lifted. I know there is some concern in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency about the R&D spend, and I am very pleased to tell…13 Dec 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Lady is right to raise this matter, which is of immense concern, and we will be raising all the issues she has set out through our high commissioner in Abuja.13 Dec 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsAll British aid must be spent in accordance with the OECD Development Assistance Committee rules governing its spending. The hon. Member is talking about the expenditure on the…13 Dec 2022HANSARDAfrica: Sovereign DebtYes. My right hon. Friend makes a very good point, and we need to show through what we do that there is a much better alternative. In 2020, we provided debt relief on repayments…13 Dec 2022HANSARDAfrica: Sovereign DebtThe significant debt vulnerabilities in many sub-Saharan African countries create risks for their growth, development and stability.13 Dec 2022HANSARDBritish Council Contractors: AfghanistanMy right hon. Friend, with great eloquence, makes a most important point. There are various ways in which we can deal with this, and which it would not be sensible to talk about…12 Dec 2022HANSARDBritish Council Contractors: AfghanistanThe frustration expressed by the hon. Gentleman is shared by many of us. It is not possible to quantify the figures in precisely the way he requests, but I will ensure that we…12 Dec 2022HANSARDBritish Council Contractors: AfghanistanI thank my hon. Friend for what he has said. He eloquently extols the brilliance of the British Council. I had some responsibility for it 10 years ago, and I know very well that…12 Dec 2022HANSARDBritish Council Contractors: AfghanistanThe Minister who is responsible for Afghanistan—the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Aldershot (Leo…12 Dec 2022HANSARDBritish Council Contractors: AfghanistanI thank the hon. Gentleman for his kind remarks. He is a distinguished soldier and brings that knowledge to the House. He has rightly championed Britain’s responsibilities in this…12 Dec 2022HANSARDBritish Council Contractors: AfghanistanThe hon. Gentleman conflates the ARAP scheme with the ACRS. The prioritisation is precisely as my right hon. Friend the Member for Cannock Chase (Amanda Milling) set out. The…12 Dec 2022HANSARDBritish Council Contractors: AfghanistanThere may or may not be validity in the political debate on safe and legal routes that the hon. Lady raises, but in this particular respect there is a safe and legal route. That…12 Dec 2022HANSARDBritish Council Contractors: AfghanistanThe hon. Gentleman is quite right to point out Britain’s responsibility in this matter. We are, I think, meeting that responsibility. As I mentioned to him, if we look at those…12 Dec 2022HANSARDBritish Council Contractors: AfghanistanI thank the hon. Gentleman for his comments, and he is quite right to express deep concern about those who are caught in this way. He asks me whether he may raise cases privately…12 Dec 2022