Afghanistan

Lord Phillips of Sudbury Excerpts
Wednesday 28th July 2010

(13 years, 11 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Verma Portrait Baroness Verma
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My Lords, the £200 million is being allocated to Afghanistan alongside the budget. We are determined to ensure that we are there to eliminate poverty.

Lord Phillips of Sudbury Portrait Lord Phillips of Sudbury
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My Lords, I declare an interest as I have a son-in-law who is about to go to Afghanistan as a manager of aid for DfID. This is an intractable situation; the history of Afghanistan is uniquely difficult. Is it not about time—to get anywhere on hearts and minds, which is at the heart of aid—that one had dialogue with the Taliban?

Baroness Verma Portrait Baroness Verma
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My Lords, first of all, I wish my noble friend’s son-in-law well. We are trying our level best to support the Afghan Government to increase their capacity to be able to engage with all people in Afghanistan.