Oral Answers to Questions

Nigel Huddleston Excerpts

Tuesday 17th October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)]

8. What steps his Department is taking to support British overseas territories and other countries recently affected by severe hurricanes in the Caribbean.

[Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) (Con)]

10. What steps his Department is taking to support British overseas territories and other countries recently affected by severe hurricanes in the Caribbean.

[Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab)]

14. What assessment the Government have made of the current humanitarian and future rebuilding needs of those British overseas territories affected by Hurricane Irma.

--- Later in debate ---

[Boris Johnson]

I am grateful for the sentiment that my hon. Friend has expressed and his willingness to come to the defence and support of our military and our aid workers. I saw from my own direct experience that they did an absolutely fantastic job. I will not hide it from the House: I was surprised to see on the news—before the hurricane had even finished—that I had received a letter denouncing the UK’s performance and our response from the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, my hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge and Malling (Tom Tugendhat). I thought that was hasty, and I hope to be able to explain to him when I appear before his Committee, as I shall shortly, that I thought it was a premature judgment.

[Nigel Huddleston]

Can the Foreign Secretary say what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of our help so far in getting the islands up and running again and open for business?

[Boris Johnson]

I really must advise my hon. Friend that the extent of the damage is so considerable that he must see it for himself. It is quite extraordinary. Hon. Members should understand that the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla have seen nothing like this for generations, and it will take time, but we are committed and we will be there for the long term.