Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Evans of Rainow Excerpts

Wednesday 17th November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Southampton North) (Con)]

1. What recent assessment he has made of the developmental situation in Yemen; and if he will make a statement.

[Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con)]

2. What recent assessment he has made of the developmental situation in Yemen; and if he will make a statement.

[Mr Mark Spencer (Sherwood) (Con)]

6. What recent assessment he has made of the developmental situation in Yemen; and if he will make a statement.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Duncan]

DFID’s programme is part of the UK strategy to address instability and conflict in Yemen and to develop the economy. We engage with the Government and other donors to create the political will needed for action on reforms. Our work helps to make people’s lives better by delivering basic services such as health, education and justice to the poorest communities, and to provide jobs and short-term employment through cash-for-work schemes. We also provide life-saving humanitarian support for the 300,000 displaced people in Yemen.

[Graham Evans]

At the last International Development questions, I raised the importance of Yemen in the war on terror, which the subsequent ink cartridge plot underlined. The Gulf states are obviously key to addressing Yemen’s challenges. What are the Government doing to engage with those states?

[Mr Duncan]

The security situation is obviously of the utmost importance. The most important Gulf partner is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which co-chairs the Friends of Yemen process, but more than $3 billion-worth of pledged financial support has remained unused since 2006. We are therefore pressing for better donor co-ordination, in which the Gulf states are obviously crucial partners.