Oral Answers to Questions

Helen Goodman Excerpts
Tuesday 17th October 2017

(6 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Boris Johnson Portrait Boris Johnson
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As I have said, there is a long-term plan to restore those overseas territories to full economic health, and it will take a long-term commitment from this country. I want all those British nationals there to realise that this Government are absolutely determined to vindicate their rights and to give them the support that they need.

Helen Goodman Portrait Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab)
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Following the hurricanes, the British overseas territory has a reconstruction bill of about £4 billion. The Government are providing grants to the Dominican Republic, but seem to be relying on private sector loans for the British Virgin Islands. With the loss of EU funding, is it not time that the Government stopped trying to fiddle the definition of overseas aid and set up a dedicated scheme and used the contingency reserve for the first year?