Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office
Wednesday 28th February 2018

(6 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Harriett Baldwin Portrait Harriett Baldwin
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My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight the important role that our armed forces have played, not only in tackling Ebola in Sierra Leone, but in tackling the hurricane in the Caribbean last year. As he will know, the Secretary of State and I are both former Ministers in the Ministry of Defence and we are keen to ensure we work closely with our colleagues there.

Diana Johnson Portrait Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)
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I was concerned to read that £160,000 of the £5.8 million of UK aid spent with Venezuela was being used for training its repressive security services. I understand this was under review last summer, so will the Minister update us with the latest on that?

Harriett Baldwin Portrait Harriett Baldwin
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My understanding is that the small amount of spending that happens in Venezuela is to support human rights organisations and the British Council’s work on education. I shall certainly take back the hon. Lady’s representations to ensure that what she says is not the case.