Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Desmond Swayne and Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh

Wednesday 3rd February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Ms Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh (Ochil and South Perthshire) (SNP)]

6. What support her Department has given to organisations investigating alleged breaches of human rights and international law in Yemen.

[The Minister of State, Department for International Development (Mr Desmond Swayne)]

DFID funds a number of organisations in Yemen to deliver aid, some of which have reported alleged breaches of human rights and international law.

[Ms Ahmed-Sheikh]

The Government have so far approved £5,600 million of arms sales to Saudi Arabia, which several independent reports have connected to the bombing of civilian targets in Yemen. Given that figure and the independent reports, does the Minister believe that £75 million of aid delivered by the UK Government to Yemen represents a balanced approach to the conflict?

[Mr Swayne]

Actually, it is £85 million—£85 million of life-saving aid. Warfare makes it more difficult to deliver that aid and that warfare is a consequence of the violent removal of the lawful Government of Yemen—not anything the United Kingdom has done.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Desmond Swayne and Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh

Wednesday 16th December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Swayne]

We have already committed £75 million to this, the worst crisis in the world, and I do give that commitment. We are already planning for the reconstruction of Yemen.

[Ms Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh (Ochil and South Perthshire) (SNP)]

What discussions has the Minister had with the Foreign Office about concerning reports from Amnesty International and others that British-made weapons sold to Saudi Arabia are being used in the conflict, in breach of human rights laws?

[Mr Swayne]

The UK has the toughest standards for the export of weapons. The hon. Lady should be aware that the coalition is acting in support of the legitimate Government of Yemen after an illegal coup by an armed—[Interruption]—force.