Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen O'Brien and Alun Michael

Wednesday 7th December 2011 Commons Chamber

[Alun Michael (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/Co-op)]

2. What assessment he has made of the development needs of the Republic of Moldova.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development (Mr Stephen O’Brien)]

The Department for International Development’s bilateral programme in Moldova came to a planned end in March 2011. Moldova has made progress in reducing poverty since it gained independence in 1991. It benefits from significant support from the international community. DFID continues to monitor development progress in Moldova through UK representation on the European neighbourhood programme management committee.

[Alun Michael]

On a visit to Moldova a while ago, we had the opportunity to go to Transnistria and to see the courage of the women working with non-governmental organisations to combat the scourge of people trafficking, which has implications for us and for the whole of Europe. What can the Minister tell us about the approach of the British Government, and will he do more to help those non-governmental organisations?

[Mr O’Brien]

I pay tribute to the right hon. Gentleman’s continued interest and support through the all-party parliamentary group for Moldova. Although there are now formal talks to seek to resolve the protracted Transnistrian conflict, he is right to draw the House’s attention to the continuing concern about trafficked women. He will know that across Government there is a series of initiatives focusing not only on identifying and supporting such women, but on stopping the sources of those who peddle this heinous practice.