Question to the Department for International Development:

Whether she had discussions with (a) civil society and (b) development partners on the potential merger of her Department with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before the decision to merge those Departments was made.

As with any government change like this, the announcement came first to Parliament. Baroness Sugg meets British Development Civil Society Organisations regularly. Strong consultation with a wide range of partners will continue to be a key component of our work to create the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.