Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of the merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development on British foreign policy objectives.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will maximise UK influence around the world by combining diplomatic leverage with world-leading development support and expertise. The FCDO will continue to pursue our national interests and projects the UK as a force for good in the world. We will promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK's security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners.

As the PM has made clear, the new FCDO will maximise the impact of our aid budget to help the world's poorest while making sure we get the best value for UK taxpayers money.

The objectives of the FCDO will be informed by the outcome of the Integrated Review, which is expected to conclude in the autumn. Both the review and the inception of the FCDO are evidence of the Government's commitment to a unified British foreign policy that will maximise our influence around the world.