Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Swire and Harriett Baldwin

Wednesday 1st May 2019 Commons Chamber

[Harriett Baldwin]

Of course, all our work is designed to achieve the sustainable development goals, so sustainability is crucial. Tearfund has done some amazing projects, and I am delighted today that we are announcing that we will match fund a WasteAid project in Cameroon that will help with exactly what my hon. Friend refers to—people earning a living from cleaning up plastic and stopping it going into our oceans.

[Sir Hugo Swire (East Devon) (Con)]

7. What proportion of contracts her Department has awarded to UK companies in each of the past five years.

[The Minister for Africa (Harriett Baldwin)]

DFID has awarded more than 80% of its contracts to UK-registered companies in each of the last five years.

[Sir Hugo Swire]

One of the achievements this Conservative party can be most proud of is its aid budget and the fact last year Britain was the only member of the G7 to meet the UN target of spending 0.7% of GDP on foreign aid—an astonishing £13.9 billion. Of course, this attracts criticism in some quarters. Does the Minister agree that one way to negate some of the criticism of the perceived largesse of taxpayer money would be to encourage proactively more British companies to win some of those contracts, without of course contravening state aid rules?

[Harriett Baldwin]

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight this point. In fact, I think we are the only country in the world to have put that 0.7% figure into statute. He will see from the numbers that in open competition 80% of our contracts have been awarded to UK-registered firms, but of course we would like to see more and smaller companies, and our procurement team has been out on a range of regional tours across this land to encourage more people to bid for our contracts.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Swire and Harriett Baldwin

Monday 23rd October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Sir Hugo Swire (East Devon) (Con)]

Five ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Exeter after Devon’s county capital, the first in 1680. Does my hon. Friend agree that it would be entirely appropriate if one of the new frigates continued that great tradition?

[Harriett Baldwin]

My right hon. Friend makes a very compelling case, as have many other colleagues from all parts of the House. I am sure he will welcome the fact that an offshore patrol vessel, HMS Tamar, is currently being built.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Swire and Harriett Baldwin

Wednesday 19th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

4. What recent discussions he has had with the Deputy Prime Minister on the commission to consider the West Lothian question.

[The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr Hugo Swire)]

In September, the Government set out the steps that we are taking to establish a commission on the West Lothian question. Northern Ireland Office Ministers and officials will continue to have regular discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister and his office on this and a range of other issues.

[Harriett Baldwin]

The Minister will know that the West Lothian question is also known as the West Belfast question. Does he agree that it is important that the commission comes to a conclusion relatively quickly in order for steps to be taken to resolve this tricky constitutional issue before the next election?

[Mr Swire]

Yes, I believe—as do the Government, which is lucky—that we need this commission. I think that we will hear its terms of reference shortly. When it is set up, it should conclude quite quickly. No doubt my hon. Friend, who has campaigned assiduously on this matter, will wish to give the commission the benefit of her views.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Swire and Harriett Baldwin

Wednesday 18th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

8. What discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the establishment of a commission to examine the West Lothian question.

[The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr Hugo Swire)]

I discussed the matter recently with the Minister with responsibility for political and constitutional reform, the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Forest of Dean (Mr Harper). The Government will establish a commission this year to consider the West Lothian question.

[Harriett Baldwin]

Does the Minister agree that, given the complexity of the West Lothian question, no time should be lost in establishing the commission?

[Mr Swire]

The programme for government promised to establish it in this Parliament, so the answer is yes.