Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will publish (a) the outcome of all meetings and (b) all call logs between Ministers of his Department and Mr Crispin Odey.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
There are no records of any meetings or calls between DFID Ministers and Mr Crispin Odey.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2019 to Question 206450 on Developing Countries: Nutrition, what opportunities her Department plans to provide for civil society organisations to contribute to discussions the UK Government has prior to the Nutrition For Growth summit in 2020.
Answered by Alistair Burt
DFID officials meet regularly with civil society organisations which are part of the International Coalition for Advocacy on Nutrition (ICAN) to discuss a wide range of nutrition policy issues including preparations for the Global Nutrition Summit 2020. I have also met representatives from ICAN. The UK Government intends to continue to work closely with civil society organisations in the run up to the Summit. Japan, as hosts of the Summit are also already in dialogue with civil society. The UK, which is working closely with the Government of Japan on Summit preparations, has encouraged and facilitated this dialogue and will continue to do so.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what opportunities will be made for civil society organisations for young people to contribute to discussions on the nutrition for growth summit in 2020.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The Government of Japan, as hosts of the 2020 Summit, have stated that they see the Summit providing opportunities for civil society organisations. They are also open to promoting the active involvement of young people throughout. The Government of Japan is also already in dialogue with civil society on preparations for the Summit. The UK, which is working closely with the Government of Japan on Summit preparations, has encouraged and facilitated this dialogue and will continue to do so.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of addressing period poverty on achieving Sustainable Development Goal number four on inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
The UK is committed to ensuring that every girl has the chance to access 12 years of quality education and learning, as highlighted in our 2018 Education Policy. This includes recognising the importance of providing menstrual hygiene facilities in schools and tackling discriminatory gender norms (including taboos around menstruation) to support girls to stay in education during their periods.
We are proud to support a range of menstrual hygiene interventions to help keep girls in school. Through the Girls’ Education Challenge Fund we are including menstrual hygiene activities across 12 countries.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of addressing period poverty on achieving Sustainable Development Goal number four on inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
The UK is committed to ensuring that every girl has the chance to access 12 years of quality education and learning, as highlighted in our 2018 Education Policy. This includes recognising the importance of providing menstrual hygiene facilities in schools and tackling discriminatory gender norms (including taboos around menstruation) to support girls to stay in education during their periods.
We are proud to support a range of menstrual hygiene interventions to help keep girls in school. Through the Girls’ Education Challenge Fund we are including menstrual hygiene activities across 12 countries.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for International Development:
What recent support her Department has provided to strengthen democratic processes and governance in developing countries.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
DFID provides extensive support to promote more inclusive, open and accountable governance. Last year DFID supported elections in Sierra Leone, Somalia and Kenya. DFID also works with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy in over 30 countries to build trust and participation in democratic institutions, including among minorities and vulnerable groups.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what representations his Department has made to the Pakistani Government on ensuring that freedom of religion and belief commitments to education for religious minorities are upheld in that country.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The UK Government is firmly committed to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief. The UK raises human rights and the rights of minorities in Pakistan on a regular basis at the highest levels and we ensure our development assistance targets the poor, regardless of race, religion, gender, social background or nationality. The UK funded education programmes in Pakistan support the implementation of Pakistan’s 2006 reformed curriculum, which teaches religious tolerance and respect for diversity. Independent evaluations have confirmed this curriculum to be based on the values of democracy, pluralism and peace aimed at educating students to be able to think critically about these issues.
Asked by: David Linden (Scottish National Party - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to help other government departments that spend aid achieve Good or Very Good ratings under the International Aid Transparency Initiative.
Answered by Rory Stewart
DFID is providing regular advice to support departments to improve the transparency of their overseas development assistance. This includes workshops, guidance and the establishment of a network to share good practice. It is essential we pool skills and expertise across government to ensure we achieve this commitment, so the British public know their money is being spent well to eradicate poverty and keep Britain safe.