Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Tony Lloyd Excerpts
Wednesday 17th January 2018

(6 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Harriett Baldwin Portrait Harriett Baldwin
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I thank my hon. Friend for his excellent question. I agree that we need and have tried to make the process as simple and streamlined as possible. We have publicised it through a range of different regional events and—importantly—written to every Member of Parliament, because excellent local MPs such as my hon. Friend can publicise these opportunities to the great grassroots charities.

Tony Lloyd Portrait Tony Lloyd (Rochdale) (Lab)
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During the Rohingya crisis, the Rochdale Council of Mosques, with its local Bangladeshi roots, made a material difference to our ability to convey aid to the area quickly. Could that be built into the framework for dealing with future disasters and emergencies?

Harriett Baldwin Portrait The Minister for Africa (Harriett Baldwin)
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Indeed, and I am grateful for the work that was done in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency to raise money during that appalling crisis. As he will know, it is possible to secure match funding from the Department when local communities are able to do such an impressive amount of fundraising.