0:00:00 > 0:00:12CHEERING Order. Questions to the Secretary of
0:00:12 > 0:00:18State for International Development, Mr Peter Heaton-Jones.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22International element secretary, Penny Mordaunt.The UK Government
0:00:22 > 0:00:25directly challenges other governments who criminalised
0:00:25 > 0:00:29homosexuality. We support LGBT people through tackling exclusion
0:00:29 > 0:00:33and violence against them, and increasing their access to services.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37LGBT inclusion has been included as one of the eight priority areas
0:00:37 > 0:00:45through DFID's UK connect programme. I am grateful to the Secretary of
0:00:45 > 0:00:47State for that answer. Does she agree with me that having been part
0:00:47 > 0:00:52of the Government that has led on LGBT rights in the UK, but our
0:00:52 > 0:01:04international aid programme now has a significant part to play in taking
0:01:04 > 0:01:06that leadership on the international stage?Absolutely, I agree with my
0:01:06 > 0:01:09honourable friend. I believe having the freedom to be three wire and
0:01:09 > 0:01:11reach full potential is vital if nations are to reach their full
0:01:11 > 0:01:15potential. 36 out of 53 Commonwealth countries
0:01:15 > 0:01:19continue to criminalise homosexuality. What conversation has
0:01:19 > 0:01:26the Secretary of State had with her Cabinet colleagues to use the UK's
0:01:26 > 0:01:33role as host of job to champion LGBT rights.We will take that
0:01:33 > 0:01:38opportunity and other opportunities with sessions with civil society and
0:01:38 > 0:01:41the bilateral conversations that will take place in that week and the
0:01:41 > 0:01:46run up to it to raise all of these issues. We have set a standard and
0:01:46 > 0:01:50we can encourage people to follow and through DFID's work and the
0:01:50 > 0:01:56incentives we can provide as well, we can provide other reasons for
0:01:56 > 0:02:01countries to do the right thing. Michael Fabricant.My right
0:02:01 > 0:02:04honourable friend is right to identify those countries who
0:02:04 > 0:02:09criminalised people who are gay, but what about those countries who
0:02:09 > 0:02:12tolerate prejudice against gay people. What can we do in those
0:02:12 > 0:02:17cases?I think there are several things that we can do to address
0:02:17 > 0:02:21those issues. One of which is to strengthen the voice of those
0:02:21 > 0:02:29organisations which are highlighting the abuse and the discrimination
0:02:29 > 0:02:34that is going on. The new UK aid connect programme will do that. It
0:02:34 > 0:02:39will provide funding to civil society groups to help us understand
0:02:39 > 0:02:43what is happening in particular locations, and what is needed to
0:02:43 > 0:02:49address it.During the debris recess I spent time in Uganda which has an
0:02:49 > 0:02:53appalling record of treatment to LGBT people. What is the department
0:02:53 > 0:02:59doing to address that issue in Uganda?My right honourable friend
0:02:59 > 0:03:04the Minister for Africa is looking at these issues. We have funding
0:03:04 > 0:03:08agreements to work in particular locations and where we see abuses
0:03:08 > 0:03:12taking place we will not hesitate to raise them with the Government.
0:03:12 > 0:03:19Today is the final day of UK LGBT history months and one of our last
0:03:19 > 0:03:25thing legacies is exporting anti-gay laws around the world with 36 out of
0:03:25 > 0:03:3150 countries still criminalising homosexuality. The upcoming summit
0:03:31 > 0:03:37in April is a golden opportunity to champion LGBT rights. Reports in the
0:03:37 > 0:03:40Canadian press last night suggest the heads of government communique
0:03:40 > 0:03:47will likely not mention LGBT rights. Will the Secretary of State discuss
0:03:47 > 0:03:52what extra funding and assistant she can provide to assure that we do not
0:03:52 > 0:03:57give up on change in the Commonwealth?Don't be disheartened.
0:03:57 > 0:04:03It will still be an issue we will raise. It is a strand of work going
0:04:03 > 0:04:08on. In addition to the UK aid connect programme, at the start of
0:04:08 > 0:04:16the history week I did relaunch the DFID LGBT network and I think
0:04:16 > 0:04:20strengthening the support our staff have two raise these issues and also
0:04:20 > 0:04:27staff who LGBT themselves and we required to work in country is
0:04:27 > 0:04:34important for this agenda.If memory serves correctly there are 28 heads
0:04:34 > 0:04:37of Commonwealth in Westminster today and tomorrow for a conference, so
0:04:37 > 0:04:41colleagues might seek to lobby those members and that would be a heaven
0:04:41 > 0:04:49sent opportunity to do so. Rushanara Ali.Question of the two, Mr
0:04:49 > 0:04:53Speaker. The UK is committed to meeting the
0:04:53 > 0:04:55needs of displaced populations including internally displaced
0:04:55 > 0:05:04people. We are providing funding to support countries through
0:05:04 > 0:05:07humanitarian and longer-term programmes.I thank the Minister for
0:05:07 > 0:05:13her answer. The number of internally displaced people have risen to 40
0:05:13 > 0:05:16million worldwide. What representations has the Secretary of
0:05:16 > 0:05:24State made to ensure that the UN negotiations do not sideline the
0:05:24 > 0:05:28needs of internally displaced people?I thank the honourable lady
0:05:28 > 0:05:35for raising this. IDPs due to conflict and violence outnumber
0:05:35 > 0:05:40refugees 2-to-1 but they have not received the focus and profile they
0:05:40 > 0:05:47need. There are moves to set up a new panel looking at their
0:05:47 > 0:05:52particular unique needs and DFID will support them in that.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55Internally displaced people are some of the most vulnerable people in the
0:05:55 > 0:05:59world and we have heard a lot recently about charities who are
0:05:59 > 0:06:03abusing the most vulnerable people in the world. Has my right
0:06:03 > 0:06:07honourable friend seen the Telegraph today which talks about the BBC
0:06:07 > 0:06:13World Service and their charitable arm, headed by the director of news
0:06:13 > 0:06:18who is overseeing sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour, which
0:06:18 > 0:06:27is totally wrong in this field.Very wrong but the answer must now focus
0:06:27 > 0:06:30on internally displaced people. Secretary of State.The honourable
0:06:30 > 0:06:36lady is right to point out that one reason why we must be very good on
0:06:36 > 0:06:39safeguarding and not dismiss these issues is to protect those
0:06:39 > 0:06:44individuals. The BBC did not report those incidents to us at the time.
0:06:44 > 0:06:51My letter to them of two weeks ago has got them to come forward with
0:06:51 > 0:06:55that information. I think that is a good thing and we need to grip this
0:06:55 > 0:07:00problem and deliver for vulnerable people around the world.Many
0:07:00 > 0:07:05thousands of people are displaced from their homes in Syria. What is
0:07:05 > 0:07:08the Secretary of State doing to demonstrate to those people and
0:07:08 > 0:07:13every other civilian in Syria that the British government has not given
0:07:13 > 0:07:17up on them?We have not given up on them, and we are working in
0:07:17 > 0:07:21particular with the governments of Jordan and Lebanon to provide those
0:07:21 > 0:07:29people would support, not just over the short-term but the long-term as
0:07:29 > 0:07:34well. DFID has moved its priority to looking at long-term support for
0:07:34 > 0:07:41these individuals and we remain the third largest donor support them.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Hundreds of thousands of Ranger have been internally displaced and fled
0:07:44 > 0:07:51across the border as well -- Rohingya. What dialogue is the
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Government having with the Burmese government about the fact that the
0:07:54 > 0:08:01Rohingya are being constantly persecuted in Burma and driven out
0:08:01 > 0:08:05by genocide?With your indulgence, Mr Speaker, I would like to raise my
0:08:05 > 0:08:09concern that the select committee have not been given access to Burma.
0:08:09 > 0:08:15I think that is disgraceful. But I can assure the honourable lady that
0:08:15 > 0:08:19I am having regular discussions with all parts of government and
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Bangladesh and Burma about support to these individuals. It is vital
0:08:22 > 0:08:26that we get the Bangladesh government to look at the
0:08:26 > 0:08:35medium-term in breaking down this and making sure the priority for us
0:08:35 > 0:08:40are those people who have been displaced. Psion macro I concur that
0:08:40 > 0:08:43it is disgraceful and this matter will be raised by the honourable
0:08:43 > 0:08:54gentleman later in our proceedings. The UN estimates that 6.1 million
0:08:54 > 0:08:58civilians are internally displaced and with fighting in Ghouta, this
0:08:58 > 0:09:01number will rise. What is the department doing to support
0:09:01 > 0:09:06displaced Syrian families whose needs and challenges are increasing
0:09:06 > 0:09:12with every passing day?We have a huge number of programmes which are
0:09:12 > 0:09:17supporting those people in particular, not just for short-term
0:09:17 > 0:09:23needs, shelter, food and so forth, but also education and jobs and
0:09:23 > 0:09:27livelihoods. I would also say that these individuals have some unique
0:09:27 > 0:09:33needs that have not been addressed to date with as much focus from the
0:09:33 > 0:09:37international community and setting up a panel to look at those needs
0:09:37 > 0:09:40and what more we can do to help in similar situations would be a big
0:09:40 > 0:09:48step forward.Minister of State, Alistair Burt.We are concerned on
0:09:48 > 0:09:55activities whenever an expected reductions or delays in donor
0:09:55 > 0:09:59disbursements occur. I raised this with an official last week and our
0:09:59 > 0:10:03officials are collaborating with US and other donors to maintain vital
0:10:03 > 0:10:08across the region.
0:10:08 > 0:10:15Half a million Palestinian children and schools funded by the relief
0:10:15 > 0:10:22agency, has that been explained to the US administration as well as the
0:10:22 > 0:10:33impact of the $6 million funding. Yes. It has been clearly explained
0:10:33 > 0:10:38to US officials what the impact of the funding may be, particularly in
0:10:38 > 0:10:41Jordan, Lebanon and places where Palestinian refugees are supported.
0:10:41 > 0:10:48We have supplied millions of pounds to assist in the provision of
0:10:48 > 0:10:54education and will continue to do so.Does my right honourable friend
0:10:54 > 0:10:58agree that while the agreement between Palestinian authorities and
0:10:58 > 0:11:12how mass Hamas, to improve the lives of all people in Gaza we should this
0:11:12 > 0:11:23arm Hamas. Their failure to resolve issues in relation to Israel.The
0:11:23 > 0:11:29people of Gaza have suffered from a number of different things. We will
0:11:29 > 0:11:36continue to work towards that.The International tournament committee
0:11:36 > 0:11:41saw the brilliant work in Jordan. Will the government worked with
0:11:41 > 0:11:45other countries to make up the funding shortfall after this
0:11:45 > 0:11:50outrageous cut from the Trump administration?We're working with
0:11:50 > 0:11:56other donors on this. I saw the director-general just last week. We
0:11:56 > 0:12:02know how much they do in the area. The education projects that you
0:12:02 > 0:12:05mention are particularly valuable. Other donors must step up as well
0:12:05 > 0:12:19and we will continue to be generous in our support.What representations
0:12:19 > 0:12:23has he made to make sure that the funding can be restored?I have
0:12:23 > 0:12:32spoken to US officials recently. It is important that the work
0:12:32 > 0:12:35continues. It needs to be done. It delivers good quality services and
0:12:35 > 0:12:49will continue to provide.United Kingdom aids to the Palestinian
0:12:49 > 0:12:53Authority goes only to the salaries of health and education workers in
0:12:53 > 0:12:58the West Bank, a memorandum of understanding with the PA, I
0:12:58 > 0:13:05recently urged Augustinian ministers to remain focused on this. President
0:13:05 > 0:13:19Abbas recently affirmed his assurance to peace.Last year the
0:13:19 > 0:13:23Palestinian Authority reportedly paid over 250 million in monthly
0:13:23 > 0:13:32salaries to terrorists in Israeli prisons were 7% of its budget and an
0:13:32 > 0:13:37astonishing 50% of its foreign aid receipts. These salaries directly
0:13:37 > 0:13:41reward terrorism. Does the Minister agree with me that these payments
0:13:41 > 0:13:47are apparent and must cease?We have made constant representations to
0:13:47 > 0:13:51Palestinian authorities about the impacts of any incitement to terror
0:13:51 > 0:13:56and payments to terror. Palestinian authorities are well aware of our
0:13:56 > 0:14:00views and opinions on this. That is why no UK aid money goes to support
0:14:00 > 0:14:10terrorism.Is the Minister aware of the 2014 initiative where a
0:14:10 > 0:14:14tripartite committee was recommended involving the Palestinians, the
0:14:14 > 0:14:21Israelis and chaired by the United States to identify and to tackle it.
0:14:21 > 0:14:27It was accepted by the Palestinians and United States but rejected by
0:14:27 > 0:14:31Israel. Does the Minister agree with me that that rejection was not in
0:14:31 > 0:14:37the interest of peace?Yes, I am aware of the proposal and the
0:14:37 > 0:14:40possible initiative. It seems to me in the region there is much need to
0:14:40 > 0:14:45do whatever is possible to bring people together to examine these
0:14:45 > 0:14:48areas. States have their own reasons why they may or may not agree to do
0:14:48 > 0:14:52so but making sure there is more work on coexistence will help in
0:14:52 > 0:14:56relation to this. We will continue our work to make sure all parties
0:14:56 > 0:15:00know how important it is to resolve their issues that many of the things
0:15:00 > 0:15:04that occupy this House over a lengthy period of time can be
0:15:04 > 0:15:14brought to inclusion in the of peace and justice.It's vital that aid
0:15:14 > 0:15:18spending the liver is rigorous value for money and is well spent. My
0:15:18 > 0:15:22right honourable friend has said that we must ensure it cannot be
0:15:22 > 0:15:28better spent. All projects are measured against a robust framework
0:15:28 > 0:15:32to make sure they are cost-effective.I'd like to thank
0:15:32 > 0:15:36the Minister for her answer. I'm sure she will agree with me that she
0:15:36 > 0:15:39constantly has to justify to the electorate the amount of money that
0:15:39 > 0:15:43is spent overseas. With this in mind, what steps are being taken to
0:15:43 > 0:15:47ensure that the more the equipment is being utilised is British and
0:15:47 > 0:15:52more the NGOs being used to carry out the work are British and the
0:15:52 > 0:16:00Armed Forces are also involved in helping these projects.You are
0:16:00 > 0:16:02absolutely right to highlight the important role that the Armed Forces
0:16:02 > 0:16:08have played, not only in tackling the Ebola disease in Sierra Leone
0:16:08 > 0:16:15but also in tackling the hurricane in the Caribbean. As he will know,
0:16:15 > 0:16:21both my self and the Secretary of State were both former ministers in
0:16:21 > 0:16:28the area of defence.I was concerned to read that £160,000 of the 5.8
0:16:28 > 0:16:35million pounds in UK aid spent in Venezuela was being used to training
0:16:35 > 0:16:38their repressive security services. I understand this was under review
0:16:38 > 0:16:44last summer. Can the Minister of data is on the latest?My
0:16:44 > 0:16:48understanding in terms of the very small amount of spending that
0:16:48 > 0:16:52happens in Venezuela is that it is to support human rights
0:16:52 > 0:16:54organisations and to support the British Council's work with
0:16:54 > 0:17:01education. I will make sure that that is not the case.I thank the
0:17:01 > 0:17:06Minister for her answer. Can I ask how the Minister believes that we
0:17:06 > 0:17:11can win back public support for what it does if she believes that the
0:17:11 > 0:17:18best way of spending aid money is through the Armed Forces? More
0:17:18 > 0:17:21outsourcing to the private sector and less an actual poverty
0:17:21 > 0:17:26reduction? Does the Minister not see that this will add a misperception
0:17:26 > 0:17:32on the growing doubt on who is best placed to deliver aid?Well, Mr
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Speaker, I'm sorry that she did not welcome the amazing work that we are
0:17:36 > 0:17:40doing through the delivery of international aid through so many
0:17:40 > 0:17:47different organisations, whether it is in partnership, as she seems to
0:17:47 > 0:17:53resent, with our colleagues in the conflict in stability and security
0:17:53 > 0:17:56funds but also, Mr Speaker, in working with colleagues in the
0:17:56 > 0:18:01health service for example, in terms of their amazing response to the
0:18:01 > 0:18:12outbreak of disease in camps in the Rohingya Muslim...With permission
0:18:12 > 0:18:16Mr Speaker, I will answer questions six and 14 together. I regularly
0:18:16 > 0:18:22discuss refugee issues with Cabinet colleagues and the Home Office. We
0:18:22 > 0:18:29have committed to resettle 20,000 refugees fleeing the Syrian conflict
0:18:29 > 0:18:32and 3000 vulnerable children and their families from the Middle East
0:18:32 > 0:18:37and North Africa. Providing life-saving aid, jobs and stability
0:18:37 > 0:18:43to refugees globally.Will the Secretary of State urged the
0:18:43 > 0:18:46government to back next month's Private members Bill and but the
0:18:46 > 0:18:51humanity of migrants and the importance of family life at the
0:18:51 > 0:18:57heart of the government's immigration policy?Obviously the
0:18:57 > 0:19:01mandate resettlement scheme allows for that to happen and there is no
0:19:01 > 0:19:08quota or cap on that. I am keen to see we can improve things, I'm all
0:19:08 > 0:19:12is open to that on any issues, but I hope we can do these things without
0:19:12 > 0:19:17primary legislation.Mr Speaker, I suspect most people will agree with
0:19:17 > 0:19:22the home affairs committee when they say and I quote, it is perverse that
0:19:22 > 0:19:25children who are being granted refugee status are not allowed to
0:19:25 > 0:19:31bring their close family to join. Does the Secretary State agree?It
0:19:31 > 0:19:35is loud in the chamber but I think the honourable gentleman is talking
0:19:35 > 0:19:42about why can't children allow their parents to join them. There are some
0:19:42 > 0:19:46very technical reasons why that we think would be a bad idea but I am
0:19:46 > 0:19:52looking at ways that we can actually get good things to happen, for
0:19:52 > 0:19:56example, with the Rohingya crisis that is there at the moment, where
0:19:56 > 0:20:00there is some barriers to good things happening there, identifying
0:20:00 > 0:20:04people and so forth, we're working with the Home Office to address
0:20:04 > 0:20:08these issues. If the honourable gentleman has suggestions would like
0:20:08 > 0:20:11to hear them.Will my right honourable friends join me in
0:20:11 > 0:20:16welcoming refugee action's new campaign stand up for asylum
0:20:16 > 0:20:20launched today which reminds us of the importance of providing a safe
0:20:20 > 0:20:26haven for those in genuine need?I thank the honourable lady for
0:20:26 > 0:20:31drawing attention to that report. I do welcome it. I look forward to
0:20:31 > 0:20:37reading it. We should be very proud of the asylum system that we have
0:20:37 > 0:20:44protecting individuals around the world.The UK simply cannot speak
0:20:44 > 0:20:50with any authority on tackling the refugee crisis in till we get our
0:20:50 > 0:20:53own house in order. Time and again this government's International the
0:20:53 > 0:20:58relevant policy is held back by what other government departments are
0:20:58 > 0:21:03doing. Tax deals that hurt developing countries, arms deals in
0:21:03 > 0:21:09Yemen... Will the Secretary of State and the Leave urge her government to
0:21:09 > 0:21:15put an end to this contradiction and gets refugee children reunited with
0:21:15 > 0:21:21their families?In addition to the answer that I gave her honourable
0:21:21 > 0:21:24colleague a moment ago, the speech I made at the conference on Monday
0:21:24 > 0:21:28highlighted that we cannot do International double and well unless
0:21:28 > 0:21:33we are also doing it in accordance with British values. I think we do
0:21:33 > 0:21:36have a good track record as a nation on this and we have a good track
0:21:36 > 0:21:42nation as a government on this. I'm always keen to see how we can make
0:21:42 > 0:21:53improvements.On the 20th of February, I informed this House that
0:21:53 > 0:22:03I had asked all charities receiving UK aid to give me safeguards... I
0:22:03 > 0:22:08receive 161 responses, my officials are now analysing those with
0:22:08 > 0:22:11independent oversight and we have shed returns with the Charity
0:22:11 > 0:22:15commission. A number of organisations, unbelievably, Mr
0:22:15 > 0:22:19Speaker, have not replied. We are following up but without compelling
0:22:19 > 0:22:23justification they will have lost our confidence. And we will consider
0:22:23 > 0:22:28whether it is right to continue their funding. I will continue to
0:22:28 > 0:22:33share my findings on the 5th of March and I will keep this has
0:22:33 > 0:22:38informed.Single sentence, please. Is the Minister confident that
0:22:38 > 0:22:42Britain will remain a world leader in humanitarian aid following the
0:22:42 > 0:22:46departure of the European Union?I am. And I think when we have further
0:22:46 > 0:22:51control over the money we are spending then we will undoubtedly
0:22:51 > 0:22:54work still with European partners and we will echo that that will be a
0:22:54 > 0:23:01very good thing indeed.Thank you, Mr Speaker. We have been sitting
0:23:01 > 0:23:07outside Westminster tube station to raise awareness, what is the
0:23:07 > 0:23:10department doing for those who suffer from rare diseases in
0:23:10 > 0:23:15developing countries to make sure they are not left behind?We spent
0:23:15 > 0:23:20about £1 billion with our own health service, with Public Health England,
0:23:20 > 0:23:26into the Fleming funds and other research funds, pioneering research
0:23:26 > 0:23:31that UK research is funding. It is saving lives overseas and combating
0:23:31 > 0:23:34rare diseases but also the results of that are helping British citizens
0:23:34 > 0:23:41as well.90% of the plastic entering our oceans is carried by just ten
0:23:41 > 0:23:45rivers in Africa and Asia. What is the government doing to help some of
0:23:45 > 0:23:51the poorest countries in the world tackle this global problem?My
0:23:51 > 0:23:54department is assisting developing countries to improve waste
0:23:54 > 0:23:59management which includes avoiding plastic ending up in the ocean
0:23:59 > 0:24:08through multilateral funds. We are also working with deaf on some new
0:24:08 > 0:24:11projects to see what we can do in line with the 25 year develop
0:24:11 > 0:24:23relevant plan.I don't usually get that reception. The South Sudanese
0:24:23 > 0:24:28government is preventing some NGOs such as Christian Aid providing aid
0:24:28 > 0:24:37to those desperately need it. What more can be done to pressure these
0:24:37 > 0:24:41governments to allow the charities access?The honourable lady is
0:24:41 > 0:24:45absolutely right. It is a scandal that the South Sudanese government
0:24:45 > 0:24:50are charging NGOs to deliver aid. The aid is getting through. I think
0:24:50 > 0:24:53she paid tribute to the people who are delivering it. But we are
0:24:53 > 0:24:56putting pressure on the government to allow easy access for
0:24:56 > 0:25:03humanitarian aid.Following on from my recent Prime Minister's question,
0:25:03 > 0:25:11will the Minister consider whether there will be a fixed percentage on
0:25:11 > 0:25:15international aids to tackling persecution?My honourable friend
0:25:15 > 0:25:22deserves tribute on the way she raises this issue. Since the United
0:25:22 > 0:25:24Nations declaration of human rights, it is a scandal that almost three
0:25:24 > 0:25:30quarters of the world's population live in countries that restrict
0:25:30 > 0:25:37freedoms. We do not restrict the percentage but...Many of the
0:25:37 > 0:25:41Rohingya refugees and unaccompanied children are at risk from
0:25:41 > 0:25:45traffickers. Can the Minister update the House on the support that the UK
0:25:45 > 0:25:52is providing to these children?We are doing many things to provide
0:25:52 > 0:25:55support to those children, not just in the immediate aftermath in a
0:25:55 > 0:25:59situation they are facing but also ensure and protects they don't fall
0:25:59 > 0:26:06victim to organised crime later on down the line. There are many things
0:26:06 > 0:26:14that we are doing under the compact but also in the new panel that I
0:26:14 > 0:26:19have alluded to today.Will my right honourable friend agree that
0:26:19 > 0:26:23providing jobs and livelihoods for alternatively displaced people
0:26:23 > 0:26:28wherever they may be are equally important as providing relief aid.I
0:26:28 > 0:26:31do agree of my honourable friend and that is why the department has
0:26:31 > 0:26:43shifted its funding focus. Stability is clearly key to delivering aid in
0:26:43 > 0:26:59Yemen. The council pays to be providing some stability.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05We have no direct contact with that council. We do work the partners in
0:27:05 > 0:27:09the south of Yemen but importantly we hope that the appointment of the
0:27:09 > 0:27:12new UN special envoy Martin Griffiths with contacts through
0:27:12 > 0:27:12Yemen