Kate Osamor debates involving the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office during the 2024 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Kate Osamor Excerpts
Tuesday 14th January 2025

(1 week, 2 days ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Stephen Doughty Portrait Stephen Doughty
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

As I have said in the House on many occasions, there is no rush. [Interruption.] No, it is a fact that negotiations on this issue were going on for two years under the previous Government, with 10 rounds of failed negotiations. We have secured a deal that is in all of our interests and, crucially, secures our base and our national security interests and those of our allies on Diego Garcia.

Kate Osamor Portrait Kate Osamor (Edmonton and Winchmore Hill) (Lab/Co-op)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

T9. Violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is escalating, with both the March 23 group and Government forces claiming recent advances. The toll on civilians is devastating, with rising deaths, displacement, rape and gender-based violence. Can the Minister outline how the Government are supporting the Angolan-led Luanda process towards a ceasefire?

Anneliese Dodds Portrait The Minister for Development (Anneliese Dodds)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I am very grateful to my hon. Friend for raising the deeply concerning ongoing conflict in eastern DRC and its devastating consequences. Our humanitarian programme, which amounts to £114 million, is delivering lifesaving emergency assistance, and I can reassure her that Lord Collins has met with the leaders of DRC and Rwanda to urge them to engage in good faith in the Luanda process, to bring an end to the horrific fighting.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill [Lords]

Kate Osamor Excerpts
Bambos Charalambous Portrait Bambos Charalambous (Southgate and Wood Green) (Lab)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I want to make a declaration of interest before we conclude. I was a member of the CPA executive. I believe my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton and Winchmore Hill also wants to say something. I apologise for my lateness today.

Kate Osamor Portrait Kate Osamor (Edmonton and Winchmore Hill) (Lab/Co-op)
- Hansard - -

I apologise for my lateness. I, too, wanted to put on the record that I am the chairman of the UK branch of the CPA.

Stephen Doughty Portrait Stephen Doughty
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

On a point of order, Mr Vickers. I want to reiterate my thanks to the Bill team, the officials of my Department and all Members who have taken part today, and to the CPA and the ICRC for their work. I have many experiences of working with both organisations. I am glad we have been able to proceed in swift time. I hope that the Bill can now proceed, with your agreement, Mr Vickers, to its next stage.

Bill, as amended, to be reported.