Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office
Wednesday 28th February 2018

(6 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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The Secretary of State was asked—
Peter Heaton-Jones Portrait Peter Heaton-Jones (North Devon) (Con)
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1. What steps she is taking to support LGBT people in developing countries.

Penny Mordaunt Portrait The Secretary of State for International Development (Penny Mordaunt)
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The UK Government directly challenge other Governments who criminalise homosexuality. We support LGBT people through tackling exclusion and violence against them and through increasing their access to services. LGBT inclusion is one of the eight priority areas in DFID’s new UK Aid Connect programme.

Peter Heaton-Jones Portrait Peter Heaton-Jones
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I am grateful to the Secretary of State for that answer. Does she agree, given that the Government have led on LGBT rights in the UK, that our international aid programme now has a significant part to play in taking leadership on this issue on the international stage?

Penny Mordaunt Portrait Penny Mordaunt
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I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. People having the freedom to be who they are and to reach their full potential is vital if nations are to reach their full potential.