Foreign Aid Expenditure

Nigel Evans Excerpts
Monday 13th June 2016

(7 years, 11 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Steve Double Portrait Steve Double
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I will just make some more progress. From scientific research, health and climate change to economic growth, education, governance and security, there are few aspects of life that our aid does not touch in many of the poorest nations of the world.

Nigel Evans Portrait Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley) (Con)
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Will my hon. Friend give way?

Steve Double Portrait Steve Double
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Yes, and then I will come back to the hon. Member for Dudley North (Ian Austin).

Nigel Evans Portrait Mr Evans
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I am extremely grateful. What my hon. Friend is saying is absolutely right and reassuring. If we do not recognise that there are issues out there—that is why we are debating this matter—then we need to address areas where the money has been misspent. Does he agree that when we give money to a charity in America that then spends millions on new headquarters as opposed to ensuring that that money gets through to the poorest people, we do an injustice to the poorest people throughout the world and are probably putting the 0.7% in jeopardy?

Steve Double Portrait Steve Double
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I agree with my hon. Friend. We have to ensure that whatever money we have is wisely spent and delivered to the front line. When that is not the case, it needs to be addressed.