Asked by: Pauline Latham (Conservative - Mid Derbyshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the report by the Independent Commission for Aid Impact entitled Assessing DFID’s Results in Improving Maternal Health, published in October 2018, what methodology he is using to measure progress against the finding that DFID’s portfolio was not well balanced across family planning, health services and other interventions, so as to maximise medium-to-long-term-impact.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) review of maternal health results in 2018 made five recommendations, including adopting a long-term approach to maternal health planning, linking strongly to health system strengthening work and increasing the focus on quality of care. We welcomed all recommendations and the 2020 follow up review acknowledged our swift progress, finding that the UK had 'enhanced its emphasis on the need for good quality, respectful care for women and their babies and increased focus on adolescents and poorer women within its new family planning programmes'. ICAI also recognised the UK Government's commitment to Ending the Preventable Deaths of Mothers, Newborns and Children by 2030 and to international advocacy for comprehensive sexual reproductive health and rights.
Using internationally accepted methods, we estimate that the UK Government has spent an average of approximately £1 billion per year on Maternal Newborn and Child Health between 2013/14 - 2017/18, on a range of bilateral and multilateral programmes. Maternal health remains a key priority throughout our health work, with recently announced investments including £600 million to the Reproductive Health Supplies programme to buy family planning supplies for millions more women and girls in the world's poorest countries each year.
The UK commitment to ending preventable deaths has created further momentum to ensure the right balance in the FCDO portfolio across family planning, health services and other essential interventions for maternal and newborn health and wellbeing. This holistic approach is essential if we are to maximise the impact of our money and policy, and more important than ever before given the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic is creating for health services across the world. In responding to the ICAI recommendations, we are reviewing our approach to maternal health results to include more context based country data and to increase our focus on long-term, sustainable change.
Asked by: Pauline Latham (Conservative - Mid Derbyshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his Department's timescale is for responding to the Independent Commission for Aid Impact’s forthcoming reports on (a) The UK’s approach to tackling modern slavery through the aid programme, (b) Management of the UK’s 0.7 per cent ODA Spending Target and (c) Sexual exploitation and abuse by international peacekeepers.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs aims to respond to Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) reviews within six weeks of the reports' publication dates.
This is the usual timescale for Government responses to ICAI reviews and enables the Government to give proper consideration to reviews and the recommendations made within them.
Asked by: Pauline Latham (Conservative - Mid Derbyshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to publish a response to the Independent Commission for Aid Impact, Assessing DFID’s results in nutrition review, published on 16 September 2020.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs aims to respond to the ICAI review of DFID's results in Nutrition within six weeks of the report's publication date. This is the usual timescale for Government responses to ICAI reviews and will enable the Government to give proper consideration to the report and the recommendations made within it.
Asked by: Pauline Latham (Conservative - Mid Derbyshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
What plans he has to help meet all of the Sustainable Development Goals following the merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with the Department for International Development.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The UK was at the forefront of agreeing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, and we remain committed to being at the forefront of global efforts to achieve them. On the 2 September, we appointed Nick Dyer as the UK’s first Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs, which has strong links to the SDGs including Goal 2 on Zero Hunger. The FCDO brings together the best of our development and diplomatic expertise, projecting the UK as a Force for Good in the world, with a continued focus on supporting the bottom billion. Championing global progress on the SDGs, and using our G7 and COP presidencies, will be crucial to these aims. The SDGs also play a vital role in post-COVID-19 recovery.
Asked by: Pauline Latham (Conservative - Mid Derbyshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to end trophy hunting imports throughout the world.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
There are differing views on trophy hunting imports, which is why the British Government recently announced plans to launch a consultation on further restricting the import and export of hunting trophies to and from the UK. In addition, the UK continues to work hard within international forums, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to ensure that wildlife is used in a sustainable and well managed way.
Asked by: Pauline Latham (Conservative - Mid Derbyshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) promote free and fair elections and (b) support democratic institutions in Uganda.
Answered by Rory Stewart
The UK regularly engages with all relevant partners – including the government, parliament, political parties, the Electoral Commission, the National Human Rights Commission and civil society - to encourage them to put in place the necessary conditions for free and fair elections. The UK also funds programmes which support improvements to Uganda’s democratic governance, including election monitoring.
Asked by: Pauline Latham (Conservative - Mid Derbyshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will ensure that any agreement on a central registry of beneficial ownership in Bermuda includes access for the public with legitimate reason.
Answered by James Duddridge
In March the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and I wrote to the Premier of Bermuda asking him to set out plans and a timetable for the implementation of a central register of company beneficial ownership, or similarly effective system, to meet three criteria, including law enforcement access. Bermuda has had a central registry of company and trust beneficiaries since 1939. It includes all shareholdings above 10% compared to the 25% which is the threshold for the UK’s register. The information is updated in real time and is already shared with law enforcement and tax authorities on request. We remain of the view that a public central register is the best approach to improve company transparency.
Asked by: Pauline Latham (Conservative - Mid Derbyshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received about allegations of violence by Soco International in Virunga National Park.
Answered by Lord Swire
I refer to the answer given by the Secretary of State for International Development, the Rt Hon. Justine Greening MP, on 17 December (Hansard 17/12/2014 - Column 1393 -http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm141217/debtext/141217-0001.htm). We are aware of allegations of wrongdoing made against Soco International, its employees and agents connected to its activities in the Virunga National Park, including those made in the documentary film 'Virunga'. We expect all companies to act appropriately and to the highest of standards, and encourage anyone with evidence of serious fraud, bribery or corruption to contact the Serious Fraud Office.
Asked by: Pauline Latham (Conservative - Mid Derbyshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the prospects of achieving a comprehensive deal with Iran on nuclear issues.
Answered by Lord Hammond of Runnymede
Negotiations to ensure Iran’s nuclear programme is peaceful have been tough, but we have made progress. We believe a deal which addresses our concerns is possible. That is why negotiations were extended until 30 June. We believe the twin track policy of sanctions and negotiations is yielding results.