Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North and Kimberley)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much (a) official development aid and b) non-official development aid has been spent via the Prosperity Fund by his Department to provide fracking expertise to foreign Governments since 2016.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
The Department for International Development has not used the Prosperity Fund to spend any ODA or non-ODA to provide fracking expertise to foreign Governments.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North and Kimberley)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the humanitarian impact of the recent escalation of military activity in Al Dhale’e, Yemen.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
We are concerned about reports of intensified fighting in the governorate of Al Dhale’e. The UN estimates that 35,000 people have been displaced since the fighting escalated, with the area becoming increasingly challenging for humanitarian actors, who are struggling to gain access.
Humanitarian agencies, including the World Food Programme, continue to operate across Al Dhale’e under extremely difficult circumstances in order to provide vital assistance such as food, healthcare and clean water.
The UK is clear that there can be no military solution to this conflict. A political settlement is the only way to provide long term stability to Yemen and address the worsening humanitarian crisis; we encourage further constructive engagement from both parties to achieve this.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North and Kimberley)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made on the ability of humanitarian organisations to operate in Al Dhale’e, Yemen.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
The UK is closely engaging with organisations delivering humanitarian assistance in Al Dhale’e governorate to establish the severity of the operating conditions they are facing and the impact this is having on the humanitarian response.
Although some organisations, such as the World Food Programme, have been able to continue humanitarian operations, recent intensified fighting has caused access to deteriorate and resulted in some organisations, such as the International Rescue Committee, ceasing operations in affected areas.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North and Kimberley)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to ensure humanitarian organisations are able to operate in Al Dhale’e, Yemen.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
The UK is closely engaging with organisations delivering humanitarian assistance in Al Dhale’e governorate to establish the severity of the operating conditions they are facing and the impact this is having on the humanitarian response.
We continue to raise humanitarian concerns, calling on both parties to the conflict to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2451 by facilitating safe, rapid, and unhindered access for both the humanitarian response and commercial supplies.
Asked by: Alex Norris (Labour (Co-op) - Nottingham North and Kimberley)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister of State, Department for International Development of 18 April 2018, Official Report, column 307 on Modern Slavery, what the functions of the business hub will be; where the hub will be located; and what the hub's governance structure will be.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The Hub for Business Integrity will work with UK companies engaging with developing countries to enable them to meet international and domestic standards on anti-corruption and human rights. It will bring together advice and support for UK businesses operating overseas from a range of UK government departments. The Hub is currently under development.