Poverty: Developing Countries

Lord Strathclyde Excerpts

Wednesday 27th June 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Gardner of Parkes]

We have not had a question from the Conservative Benches.

[The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Strathclyde)]

My Lords, I think that it is the turn of my noble friend Lady Gardner.

[Baroness Gardner of Parkes]

Returning to my point, I was for many years the chairman of the UK branch of PLAN International, which has a programme of helping to educate children and also provides great help to widows in many countries. I am glad that the Minister mentioned that the Government are doing what they can but one very big problem arises in countries where all inheritance goes to a male relative. Women find that they suddenly have nothing because their husband’s brother or one of their husband’s brother’s sons has inherited everything. I hope that she will press the Governments of the world on this matter. I think that Uganda has changed this law and that has made a dramatic difference to women. Will she press Commonwealth countries and other countries in general to look into this further?