Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tony Baldry and Baroness Featherstone

Wednesday 3rd September 2014 Commons Chamber

[Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con)]

4. What recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in South Sudan.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development (Lynne Featherstone)]

I returned from South Sudan early this morning and have seen that the humanitarian situation there remains precarious: 1.8 million people have been displaced by the conflict, 1.3 million of them within the country. Although aid has helped to ameliorate the food security situation in some areas, there is still a high risk of famine in early 2015.

[Sir Tony Baldry]

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for updating the House on her recent visit to Juba. The House wants reassurance from her that the international community has got a grip on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in South Sudan and will, as far as possible, be able to abate what looks as though it could turn into a humanitarian disaster.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tony Baldry and Baroness Featherstone

Monday 12th September 2011 Commons Chamber

[Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con)]

T3. During the recent disturbances, children in Banbury as young as 14 sought to use Facebook to incite public disorder. Will my hon. Friend update the House on her discussions with providers of social networks?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Lynne Featherstone)]

I can inform my hon. Friend that the Home Secretary held a constructive meeting with the Association of Chief Police Officers, the police and representatives from the social media industry and the companies have made clear their commitment to removing illegal content and, when appropriate, closing accounts, whether at the request of the police or because of a tip-off from other users. It was agreed to step up co-operation to ensure that these processes are working effectively.