Oral Answers to Questions

John Spellar Excerpts

Wednesday 5th November 2014 Commons Chamber

[Justine Greening]

My hon. Friend is right to say that next year’s meeting in Paris is crucial to finally getting the international deal we need to tackle climate change. He will also be aware of a lot of the work my Department does on helping people cope with and adapt to the problems of climate change. The poor are always hit hardest and hit first by climate change, and they have the least wherewithal then to get their lives back on track.

[Mr John Spellar (Warley) (Lab)]

6. What support her Department is providing to Tunisia and the new Government of that country.

[The Minister of State, Department for International Development (Mr Desmond Swayne)]

DFID delivers its assistance on developing a more inclusive and democratic Tunisia through the Arab Partnership.

[Mr Spellar]

I thank the Minister for that answer. As I am sure he will recognise, last week’s welcome election result showed that Tunisia, where the Arab spring started, is a beacon of hope in the region. Will his Department prioritise support for Tunisia, to help it to make further progress and provide a working example of how real change can take place in that region?

[Mr Swayne]

I entirely endorse the right hon. Gentleman’s description of the progress Tunisia has made, and it is important that we keep that progress going. We have spent some £10 million in Tunisia since 2011, the European Union has a budget of €169 million this year, and there is money from the International Monetary Fund and other sources. We will continue to watch this brief.