Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the implications for her Department's policy that UK aid cannot be used to fund illegal services of the halting by the Nigerien authorities of Marie Stopes International abortion procedures.

Marie Stopes International are a valued partner in our comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights work.

We have seen no evidence of any illegal activity in Niger on their part and no formal allegations have been made to us. DFID funds cannot be used to fund any illegal activities. We treat allegations of any improper use of funds extremely seriously. The process for reporting allegations is on our website. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-international-development