Oral Answers to Questions

Harriett Baldwin Excerpts

Wednesday 14th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

5. What recent assessment he has made of the development situation in Ethiopia.

[The Secretary of State for International Development (Mr Andrew Mitchell)]

Ethiopia is making real progress in development and Britain’s programme plays a crucial role, as I saw for myself on the ground during January.

[Harriett Baldwin]

As my entry in the register shows, I travelled with Save the Children to Ethiopia during the February recess and I saw at first hand how UK aid is saving children’s lives in remote parts of the country. Will my right hon. Friend update the House on how UK aid is helping with malnutrition in Ethiopia and other parts of the world?

[Mr Mitchell]

I thank my hon. Friend for making that visit with Save the Children. I know she has both great interest and great expertise in that area. She asks about the results, and last year Britain secured provision so that some 1.7 million children are getting into school. We have also conducted a very successful pilot programme to help eradicate early marriage. Over the next four years, Britain will help to ensure that some 2 million children are able to go to school in Ethiopia.