Myanmar Earthquake

Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Baroness Hayman
Thursday 3rd April 2025

(2 days ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Baroness Chapman of Darlington Portrait Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

The noble Baroness is right and, yes, we are working in particular to ensure that health assistance is available, as well as getting the food, the medicines, the water and the shelter in immediately. I am aware that the noble Lord, Lord Crisp, who asked this Question today, has been doing some important work on training nurses in Myanmar. So there is the immediate response that the noble Baroness refers to, but there is also the longer-term work that we must continue to do.

Baroness Hayman Portrait Baroness Hayman (CB)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, as a previous trustee of the DEC, I welcome very much the aid match that the noble Baroness has referred to today. I am sure that the British public will respond very generously, as they always do to DEC appeals. Can she ensure that the figure she has announced is kept under review—and I do not mean downwards?

Baroness Chapman of Darlington Portrait Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

I hear what the noble Baroness has said. At the moment, we have committed to match up to £5 million and I am sure, as she says, that the British public will rise to the challenge. It would be great to be in a situation where we are asked to increase that number because the response from the public has been so impressive.

Gaza: Peace Talks

Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Baroness Hayman
Wednesday 15th January 2025

(2 months, 3 weeks ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Baroness Chapman of Darlington Portrait Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

The Israeli Government have a responsibility to allow aid to those who need it. The situation is urgent: the hunger and the deaths from the cold that we have seen among young children because of the change in the weather are appalling. We appeal to the Israeli Government to allow the necessary aid to reach those who need it.

Baroness Hayman Portrait Baroness Hayman (CB)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, will the Minister take this opportunity to recognise the courage and commitment of those groups of Israelis and Palestinians working for peace who have continued to do so throughout this conflict? Will she also ensure that they are involved in the desperately difficult process that will follow any ceasefire of building a sustainable peace?

COP 29: United Kingdom Delegation

Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Baroness Hayman
Thursday 21st November 2024

(4 months, 2 weeks ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Baroness Chapman of Darlington Portrait Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

I welcome contributions from any leaders who have influence anywhere. It is important that this task is not just left to the politicians and that community leaders and faith leaders from across the world step up and use whatever power they have to help.

Baroness Hayman Portrait Baroness Hayman (CB)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, I declare my interests as set out in the register. One of the most memorable experiences of my first few months in government in 1997 was repeating the Statement on the Kyoto conference in this House that the Deputy Prime Minister had given elsewhere. He was an extraordinarily committed environmentalist before many other people, as the noble Baroness said, and he will be missed on that account and on many others. After Kyoto, we had Paris and the 1.5 degree target, to which the noble Baroness has referred. That is in danger of being breached as we speak. Does she agree that the real issue about COP and that process is how we turn an international agreement into delivery locally?

Baroness Chapman of Darlington Portrait Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

Absolutely I would, and if there was anyone who took a pragmatic lens to these issues, it would be our friend John Prescott. Perhaps we could think to ourselves “What would John say?” when we reach these agreements. I hope that we do reach some meaningful agreements but, as the noble Baroness implies and as he would no doubt have said, “It’s about getting it done, love, isn’t it?”.