Oral Answers to Questions

John Howell Excerpts

Wednesday 12th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr O'Brien]

I congratulate the hon. Lady on her very accurate observations, which are absolutely fundamental to good development. I assure her that, in the reproductive, maternal health and neo-natal document that we published on 31 December, that is precisely the emphasis on, and increased access to, family planning that is proposed and in which we intend to take a lead, through the design of our programmes, as we roll out their announcement following the bilateral aid reviews.

[John Howell (Henley) (Con)]

10. What recent progress he has made on his review of emergency humanitarian response capability.

[Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con)]

12. What recent progress he has made on his review of emergency humanitarian response capability.

[The Minister of State, Department for International Development (Mr Alan Duncan)]

The humanitarian emergency response review is an independent review of the UK Government’s emergency humanitarian assistance, led by Lord Ashdown. The review team will complete its consultations this month and issue its final report by the end of April.

[John Howell]

Given the significance of the review, will the Minister explain its remit?

[Mr Duncan]

The review has a specific focus on rapid onset humanitarian emergencies, which can either be natural disasters or sudden outbreaks of conflict. The urgent international response to disasters is often confused and unco-ordinated. Today is the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, and what happened there will play an essential part in our review. [Interruption.]