UK-EU: International Development Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Lord Dodds of Duncairn
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UK-EU: International Development
Lord Dodds of Duncairn Excerpts(6 years, 8 months ago)
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Dr Williams
I hope the Minister will tell us how we will continue to have influence and form partnerships that are in our interest. By working together on the ground, we can ensure that our aid spend is doubly effective.
Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP)
I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on securing his first Westminster Hall debate on this very important subject. Does he agree that the scale and size of the UK’s contribution to international aid helps to mitigate some of his concerns? The big part that the UK plays in international aid will give us an important role on the world stage.
Dr Williams
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for raising that issue. Together with our EU partners, we are the world’s largest donor, but if we are alone we will fall down the pecking order. At least some of our influence comes from working with EU partners, but I concede that our role and our leadership as a stand-alone player are still very important.