Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Kirstene Hair Excerpts
Wednesday 1st May 2019

(5 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Penny Mordaunt Portrait Penny Mordaunt
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I absolutely agree with the hon. Gentleman, who has been consistent in his condemnation of the regime. We are working through the Lima group; it is absolutely right that we should give support to the region as well as Venezuela in particular. I call on all Members to support and call for swift presidential elections so that we can let the country move on.

Kirstene Hair Portrait Kirstene Hair (Angus) (Con)
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The emergency £6.5 million UK emergency aid package to Venezuela was announced in February. Will the Secretary of State outline the priorities for that, especially given reports that up to 80% of Venezuelan households are without a reliable food source and the World Health Organisation’s suggestion that there has been a stark increase in maternal and infant mortality, and in malaria, tuberculosis and many other infectious diseases?

Penny Mordaunt Portrait Penny Mordaunt
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My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We are prioritising healthcare and nutrition needs. We will keep monitoring the situation, as those needs will change over time. This is an emergency, and people are in life-threatening situations.