Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alan Duncan and Mark Field

Tuesday 26th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mark Field]

I am hearing a lot of chuntering from my left, as I have two DFID Ministers beside me—

[The Minister for Europe and the Americas (Sir Alan Duncan)]

And a former one.

[Mark Field]

And a former DFID Minister, too.

I agree with the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Stephen Twigg), and this is a matter not just of soft power, but of hard power. There is little doubt that the 0.7% commitment has an important part to play. I see it in all parts of Asia, not least in Pakistan and Bangladesh, which have the two single biggest DFID budgets. It is important for aid and development and, indeed, for the prosperity fund, which will allow British companies to prosper in the years to come.