Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Priti Patel and Tommy Sheppard

Wednesday 22nd February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Priti Patel]

My hon. Friend is right to raise this important issue. Education is crucial in the camps but also in the region. In both Jordan and Lebanon we have helped to support more than 200,000 children to have access to education. The UK, once again, is leading the way to enable more and more children to go to school in the region.

[Tommy Sheppard (Edinburgh East) (SNP)]

T4. On Sunday, the Israeli military authorities issued 40 demolition notices on the Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar in the occupied Area C of the west bank. If this happens tomorrow, it will mark a dramatic escalation of the demolitions and will compromise DFID’s actions in the region. Can I ask the Government to call on the Israeli authorities to cease—

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Priti Patel and Tommy Sheppard

Wednesday 16th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Priti Patel]

My hon. Friend raises an important point about the destruction of cultural and heritage sites around the world. I have been clear that, in funding international organisations, we wish to see reform in the system to make sure that money is spent in the right way. We will continue to deliver value for money. DFID will publish the reviews that reflect on UNESCO towards the end of the month and he will see the approach we are taking.

[Tommy Sheppard (Edinburgh East) (SNP)]

T5. Further to an earlier question, will the Minister commit to fast-track the review of aid for the families of Palestinian prisoners, in the knowledge that any reduction in that aid will bankrupt the Palestinian Authority, undermine politicians who are working for a peaceful solution and play into the hands of those, like Hamas, who want to pursue a course of violence?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Priti Patel and Tommy Sheppard

Monday 7th December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Tommy Sheppard (Edinburgh East) (SNP)]

21. When his Department next plans to publish information on people who have died after undergoing work capability assessments.

[The Minister for Employment (Priti Patel)]

There are no plans to publish such information.

[Tommy Sheppard]

That is a source of great regret. A recent study by Liverpool and Oxford Universities concluded that 590 suicides were linked to work capability assessments. When will the Department stop hiding behind excuses and publish the information that we seek, so that we can examine the effect of the claimant system on suicide rates?