House of Commons International Development Committee
Formal Minutes
Session 2008–09
International Development Committee
The International Development Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Department for International Development and its associated public bodies.
Current membership Malcolm Bruce MP (Liberal Democrat, Gordon) (Chairman) John Battle MP (Labour, Leeds West) Hugh Bayley MP (Labour, City of York) Richard Burden MP (Labour, Birmingham Northfield) Mr Nigel Evans MP (Conservative, Ribble Valley) Mr Mark Hendrick MP (Labour Co-op, Preston) Daniel Kawczynski MP (Conservative, Shrewsbury and Atcham) Mr Mark Lancaster MP (Conservative, North East Milton Keynes) Mr Virendra Sharma (Lab, Ealing Southall) Mr Marsha Singh MP (Labour, Bradford West) Andrew Stunell (Liberal Democrat, Hazel Grove)
The following Members were also Members of the Committee during the current Parliament.
John Barrett MP (Liberal Democrat, Edinburgh West) John Bercow MP (Conservative, Buckingham) Mr Stephen Crabb MP (Conservative, Preseli Pembrokeshire) Mr Quentin Davies MP (Labour, Grantham & Stamford) James Duddridge MP (Conservative, Rochford & Southend East) Ann McKechin MP (Labour, Glasgow North) Joan Ruddock MP (Labour, Lewisham, Deptford) Sir Robert Smith MP (Liberal Democrat, West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) Jim Sheridan MP (Labour, Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
Powers The Committee is one of the departmental select committees, the powers of which are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 152. These are available on the Internet via www.parliament.uk.
Publications The Reports and evidence of the Committee are published by The Stationery Office by Order of the House. All publications of the Committee (including press notices) are on the Internet at www.parliament.uk/indcom
Committee staff The staff of the Committee are Carol Oxborough (Clerk), Keith Neary (Second Clerk), Anna Dickson (Committee Specialist), Ian Hook (Senior Committee Assistant), Vanessa Hallinan (Committee Assistant) and Alex Paterson (Media Officer).
Contacts All correspondence should be addressed to the Clerk of the International Development Committee, House of Commons, 7 Millbank, London SW1P 3JA. The telephone number for general enquiries is 020 7219 1223; the Committee’s email address is [email protected]
Sunday 30 November – Thursday 11 December 2008
The Chairman, John Battle, Hugh Bayley, John Bercow, Mr Marsha Singh and Sir Robert Smith visited China in connection with the inquiry into DFID and China, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 11 December 2007
Tuesday 13 January 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Daniel Kawczynski Hugh Bayley Mr Marsha Singh John Bercow Sir Robert Smith Richard Burden
1. Work of the Committee in Session 2007-2008
Draft Report [Work of the Committee in Session 2007-08], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read the first time.
[The draft Report was agreed to: the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the consideration of the Report are published in the First Report from the Committee, Session 2008-09, HC 138]
2. Future Programme
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into Aid Under Pressure: Support for Development in a Global Economic Downturn and Urbanisation and Poverty.
Resolved, That the Committee resume its postponed inquiry into DFID’s Programme in Nigeria.
3. Inquiry into Aid Under Pressure
The Committee considered this matter.
4. Overseas visits (Kenya and Tanzania)
The Committee considered this matter.
5. Inquiry into Sustainable Development in a Changing Climate
The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the inquiry into Sustainable Development in a Changing Climate be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
SD 1 International Alert
SD 2 Sab Miller
SD 3 Agricultural Biotechnology Council
SD 4 Dr Ian Bailey, Senior Lecturer, University of Plymouth
SD 5 Sussex Energy Group, Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Sussex
SD 6 Fresh Produce Consortium
SD 7 David Woodward, Independent Development Consultant
SD 8 World Development Movement
SD 9 Jodie Keane and Christopher Stevens, Overseas Development Institute
SD 10 Research Councils UK (RCUK)
SD 11 Nestlé UK Ltd
SD 12 Saferworld
SD 13 International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
SD 14 Dr Thomas Tanner, Research Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies
SD 15 WWF
SD 16 DFID
SD 17 Joint Submission from Population and Sustainability Network and Marie Stopes International
SD 18 Blue Skies Communications
SD 19 FlyingMatters
6. Oral Evidence Session on the Financing for Development Conference
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the oral evidence session on the Financing for Development Conference be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
FD 1 DFID
FD 2 Development Initiatives
FD 3 Jubilee Debt Campaign
FD 4 Ricardo Gottschalk, Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies
FD 5 Christian Aid
FD 6 ActionAid
FD 7 Jeffrey Owens, Director of the OECD’s Centre for Tax Policy Administration
FD 8 UK Aid Network
7. Future Visits
Resolved, That the Committee visit Nigeria in connection with its inquiries into DFID’s Programme in Nigeria and Urbanisation and Poverty.
8. Travel in a Representative Capacity
Resolved, That John Battle and a member of staff have leave to attend the OECD/EP High Level Parliamentary Conference on Policy Coherence for Development and Migration.
Ordered, That the Chairman seek approval from the Liaison Committee for the expenditure connected with the visit.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 21 January 2009 at 9.30 am
Wednesday 21 January 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Mr Mark Hendrick Hugh Bayley Mr Marsha Singh John Bercow Andrew Stunell Richard Burden
1. Declaration of Interests: New Members
Mr Mark Hendrick declared his interests, in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992, as follows: nil.
Andrew Stunell declared his interests, in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992, as follows: nil.
2. Inquiry into Aid Under Pressure
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, Secretary of State for International Development, Martin Dinham, Director General International and Anthony Smith, Director, Europe and Donor Relations Division, Department for International Development, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Thursday 22 January 2009 at 10:15 am
Thursday 22 January 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Mr. Mark Hendrick Hugh Bayley Andrew Stunell John Bercow
1. Inquiry into DFID and China
Mr Michael Foster MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International Development, Scott Wightman, Director, Asia Pacific, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Adrian Davis, Head of Office, DFID China and Deputy Director, North and East Asia, Department for International Development gave oral evidence
[Adjourned till Tuesday 27 January at 10:00 am
Tuesday 27 January 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Mr Marsha Singh Richard Burden Andrew Stunell Mr Mark Hendrick
1. Specialist Advisers
Ordered, That Dr Tom Downing and Dr Benito Müller be appointed as Specialist Advisers to assist the Committee in its inquiry into Sustainable Development in a Changing Climate.
The Committee noted that Dr Tom Downing’s interests were as follows:
Head of a small research/consulting office which undertakes work relevant to the Committee’s remit and to the range of witnesses who are likely to give evidence in the inquiry into Sustainable Development.
The Committee noted that Dr Benito Müller’s interests were as follows:
Co-coordinator of a Climate Strategies project on the future of the Clean Development Mechanism which is part-funded by the Department for International Development.
2. Inquiry into Sustainable Development in a Changing Climate
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the inquiry into Sustainable Development in a Changing Climate be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
SD 20 British Airways
SD 21 Eon
SD 22 United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)
SD 23 Tourism Concern
Simon Anderson, Chair, Climate Change, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), Alex Cobham, Head of Policy, Christian Aid, Tim Jones,
Campaigns Policy Officer, World Development Movement (WDM), and Sara Shaw, Policy Officer, Climate Change, Tearfund gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 28 January at 10:00 am
Wednesday 28 January 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Mr Mark Hendrick Hugh Bayley Mr Marsha Singh Richard Burden Andrew Stunell
1. Inquiry into DFID’s Annual Report 2008
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Inquiry into DFID and China
The Committee considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 10 February at 9.30 am
Tuesday 10 February 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Bercow Mr Marsha Singh Richard Burden Andrew Stunell
1. Inquiry into the DFID Annual Report 2008
Draft Report [DFID Annual Report 2008], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read the first time.
[The draft Report was agreed to: the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the consideration of the Report are published in the Second Report from the Committee, Session 2008-09, HC 220-I]
2. Inquiry into HIV/AIDS: DFID’s New Strategy
Draft Special Report [HIV/AIDS: DFID’s New Strategy: Government Response to the Committee’s Twelfth Report of Session 2007-08] proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Twelfth Report from the Committee in Session 2007- 08 was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the First Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
3. Inquiry into DFID and China
The Committee considered this matter.
4. Inquiry into Aid Under Pressure
The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee visit Leeds and Bradford, in connection with its inquiry into Aid Under Pressure.
5. Overseas Visit (Kenya and Tanzania)
The Committee considered this matter.
6. Proposed DFID White Paper
The Committee considered this matter.
7. Travel in a Representative Capacity
Resolved, That the Chairman and a member of staff have leave to attend the Conference of Foreign Affairs and Development Committee Chairman of EU member states in Prague on 9-10 March.
Ordered, That the Chairman seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for the expenditure in connection with the visit.
8. Inquiry into Sustainable Development
Victoria Johnson, New Economics Foundation, Jonathan Mitchell, Overseas Development Institute, Dr Murray Simpson, Senior Research Fellow, Oxford University Centre for the Environment, Gillian Cooper, Tourism Concern, Professor Tim Lang, Professor of Food Policy, City University London, and Dr Tom MacMillian, Executive Director, and Paul Steedman, Research Fellow, Food Ethics Council gave oral evidence
[Adjourned till Wednesday 25 February at 9.30 am
Wednesday 11 February – Thursday 12 February 2009
John Battle and the Assistant Clerk visited Brussels to attend the High Level Parliamentary Conference on Policy Coherence for Migration and Development in a representative capacity, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 13 January 2009.
Wednesday 25 February 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Mr Mark Hendrick John Bercow Andrew Stunell Richard Burden
1. Inquiry into DFID and China
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Oral evidence from Ministers
The Committee considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Monday 2 March at 3.30 pm.
Monday 2 March 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Richard Burden Hugh Bayley Mr Marsha Singh John Bercow Andrew Stunell
1. Inquiry into DFID and China
Draft Report [DFID and China], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read the first time.
[The draft Report was agreed to: the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the consideration of the Report are published in the Third Report from the Committee, Session 2008-09, HC 180-I]
[Adjourned till tomorrow at 10.00 am.
Tuesday 3 March 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
Hugh Bayley Mr Marsha Singh Richard Burden Andrew Stunell Daniel Kawczynski
1. Inquiry into Sustainable Development
Jodie Keane, Research Officer, International Economic Development Group and Leo Peskett, Research Fellow, Climate Change, Environment and Forests Group, Overseas Development Institute; and Dr Keith Allott, Head of Climate Change, David Tickner, Head of Freshwater Programmes, and Toby Quantrill, Head of International Governance, WWF, gave oral evidence
[Adjourned till tomorrow at 9:30 am.
Wednesday 4 March 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Mr Marsha Singh John Bercow Andrew Stunell Mr Mark Hendrick
1. Inquiry into Aid Under Pressure
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the inquiry into Aid Under Pressure be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
FD 9 Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
FD 10 Neil McCulloch, Institute of Development Studies
FD 11 DEA
FD 12 John Micklewright, Professor of Social Statistics, University of Southampton
FD 13 UK Forum on Agriculture Research for Development
FD 14 Norfolk Education & Action for Development
FD 15 Dr Jannifer van Heerde, Dr David Hudson, University College London
FD 16 CAFOD
Dambisa Moyo, Dr Neil McCulloch, Fellow, Institute of Development Studies, Dr David McNair, Senior Economic Justice Adviser, Christian Aid and Dr Dirk Willem te Velde, Research Fellow and Growth Programme Leader, Overseas Development Institute gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 11 March at 9:30 am.
Thursday 5 March
The Chairman, John Battle, Hugh Bayley, Mr Marsha Singh and Andrew Stunell visited Leeds and Bradford, in connection with the inquiry into Aid Under Pressure, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 10 February.
Sunday 8 March – Tuesday 10 March
The Chairman and the Assistant Clerk visited Prague to attend the Conference of Foreign Affairs and Development Committee Chairpersons of EU member states in a representative capacity, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 10 February.
Wednesday 11 March 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Daniel Kawczynski Hugh Bayley Mr Marsha Singh Richard Burden Andrew Stunell Mr Mark Hendrick
1. Spring Supplementary Estimates
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Inquiry into Sustainable Development in a Changing Climate
Professor Lord Stern of Brentford gave oral evidence.
3. Overseas Visit (Kenya and Tanzania)
The Committee considered this matter.
4. Inquiry into Urbanisation and Poverty
The Committee considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 31 March at 9.45 am.
Monday 16 March - Friday 27 March
The Chairman, Hugh Bayley, Richard Burden, Mr Mark Hendrick, Daniel Kawczynski and Mr Marsha Singh visited Kenya and Tanzania, in connection with the inquiry into Sustainable Development in a Changing Climate, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 2 June 2008.
Tuesday 31 March 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Andrew Stunell Hugh Bayley
1. Inquiry into Aid Under Pressure
Professor Cathy Pharoah, Professor of Charity Fundraising, Cass Business School, and co-director of the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) Research Centre for Charitable and Philanthropy, Dr David Hudson, Director of International Public Policy, University College London, Hetan Shah, Chief Executive, DEA and Kirsty Hughes, Head of Advocacy, Oxfam gave oral evidence
[Adjourned till tomorrow at 9.30 am.
Wednesday 1 April 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Mr Marsha Singh Hugh Bayley Andrew Stunell Mr Virendra Sharma
1. Declaration of Interests: New Members
Mr Virendra Sharma declared his interests, in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992, as follows:
Sponsorship, financial and material support: The rent free use of an office in the constituency provided by Tack & Co Accountants, of Southall. (Registered 15 May 2008). In kind donations for the cost of a ‘1 year as an MP’ celebration party on 12 July 2008 from the following UK businesses: KSC 1T trading as Chana Chemist, Southall, Middlesex; Kenilworth House Nursing Home, Ealing, London; Hotel Top Limited trading as Days Hotel, South Ruislip, Middlesex.
2. Inquiry into Aid Under Pressure
Mr Eckhard Deutscher, Chair, OECD-DAC and Mr Maciej Popowski, Director, EU Development Policy: Horizontal Issues, Directorate General for Development, European Commission gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 22 April at 9.30 am.
Wednesday 22 April 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Daniel Kawczynski Hugh Bayley Mr Mark Hendrick John Bercow Mr Virendra Sharma Mr Stephen Crabb Andrew Stunell
1. Overseas Visits (Nigeria)
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Inquiry into DFID’s Programme in Nigeria
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Defence Committee inquiry : The Comprehensive Approach
The Committee considered this matter.
4. Inquiry into Aid Under Pressure
The Committee considered this matter.
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the inquiry into Aid Under Pressure be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
FD 17 Global Witness
FD 18 Local Government Association
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, Secretary of State for International Development, Anthony Smith, Director, Europe and Donor Relations, and Rachel Turner, Director, International Finance and Development Effectiveness Division, Department for International Development, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 29 April at 9.30 am.
Wednesday 29 April 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
Hugh Bayley Richard Burden John Bercow Andrew Stunell
1. Inquiry into the DFID Annual Report 2008
Draft Special Report [DFID Annual Report 2008: Government Response to the Committee’s Second Report of Session 2008-09] proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Second Report from the Committee in Session 2008- 09 was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Second Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
2. Inquiry into Sustainable Development in a Changing Climate
The Committee considered this matter.
Michael Foster MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Elwyn Grainger-Jones, Head, Climate and Environment Group, Department for International Development, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, Minister of State for Sustainable Development and Energy Innovation and Andrew Randall, International Issues Advisor, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 12 May at 10.00 am.
Tuesday 12 May 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Mr Marsha Mr Mark Hendrick Singh Daniel Kawczynski Andrew Stunell
1. Overseas Visits (Nigeria)
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Defence Committee inquiry : The Comprehensive Approach
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Joint Committee on the Draft Bribery Bill
The Committee considered this matter.
4. Inquiry into Urbanisation and Poverty
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the inquiry into Urbanisation and Poverty be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
Urb 1 Professor Alan Gilbert, University College London (UCL)
Urb 2 International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
Urb 3 Jonathon Wood
Urb 4 One World Action
Urb 5 UCL Development Planning Unit
Urb 6 GALVmed
Urb 7 Department for International Development
Urb 8 Habitat for Humanity
Urb 9 Luanda Urban Poverty Programme
Urb 10 RESULTS UK
Urb 11 UK Local Government Alliance for International Development
Urb 12 BasicNeeds
Urb 13 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
Urb 14 International Housing Coalition
Urb 15 Brazilian Embassy in London
Urb 16 Homeless International
Urb 17 Consortium for Street Children
Urb 18 Indonesian Embassy in London
Paul Taylor, Chief of the Office of the Executive Director and Michael Mutter, Senior Adviser, Slum Upgrading Facility, UN-Habitat gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 19 May at 10.00 am.
Tuesday 19 May 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
Hugh Bayley Mr Marsha Singh Mr Virendra Sharma Andrew Stunell
1. Inquiry into Aid Under Pressure
Draft Report [Aid Under Pressure: Support for Development Assistance in a Global Economic Downturn], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read the first time.
[The draft Report was agreed to: the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the consideration of the Report are published in the Fourth Report from the Committee, Session 2008-09, HC 179-I]
[Adjourned till tomorrow at 10.00 am.
Wednesday 20 May 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Mr Marsha Singh Richard Burden Andrew Stunell Mr Virendra Sharma
1. Inquiry into Sustainable Development
Draft Report [Sustainable Development in a Changing Climate], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read the first time.
[The draft Report was agreed to: the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the consideration of the Report are published in the Fifth Report from the Committee, Session 2008-09, HC 177-I]
[Adjourned till Tuesday 2 June at 9.30 am.
Tuesday 2 June 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
Hugh Bayley Mr Virendra Sharma Richard Burden Mr Marsha Singh Daniel Kawczynski Andrew Stunell
1. Inquiry into DFID and China
Draft Special Report [DFID and China: Government Response to the Committee’s Third Report of Session 2008-09] proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Third Report from the Committee in Session 2008- 09 was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Third Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
2. Petition: HIV and the G8
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Overseas Visit (Nigeria)
The Committee considered this matter.
4. Future Programme
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into DFID’s programme in Bangladesh.
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into DFID’s programme in Nepal.
5. Future Visits
Resolved, That the Committee visit Bangladesh and Nepal in connection with its inquiries into DFID’s Programme in Bangladesh and DFID’s Programme in Nepal.
6. Inquiry into DFID’s Programme in Nigeria
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the inquiry into DFID’s programme in Nigeria be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
NIG 01 Society for the Widows and Orphans (SOWIPHANS)
NIG 02 VSO Nigeria
NIG 03 Lifebuilders
NIG 04 Nigeria Leadership Initiative
NIG 05 Save the Children
NIG 06 John Rowley
NIG 07 Rev Emmanuel Odomene
NIG 08 Association of Commonwealth Universities and the British Academy
NIG 09 Jubilee Scotland
NIG 10 Professor Sani Abba Aliyu
NIG 11 Department for International Development
7. Inquiry Urbanisation and Poverty
Gordon McGranahan, Head, Human Settlements Group, International Institute for Environment and Development, Andy Rutherford, Head of International Partnerships, One World Action, and Louise Meincke, Advocacy Manager, Consortium for Street Children; and, Caren Levy, Director and Ruth McLeod, Teaching Fellow, Development Planning Unit, University College London gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 9 June at 10.00 am.
Tuesday 9 June 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
Hugh Bayley Andrew Stunell Mr Virendra Sharma
1. Overseas Visit (Nigeria)
The Committee considered this matter.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 23 June at 10.00 am.
Wednesday 10 June - Thursday 18 June
The Chairman, Hugh Bayley, Mr Virendra Sharma, Mr Marsha Singh and Andrew Stunell visited Nigeria, in connection with the inquiries into DFID’s Programme in Nigeria and Urbanisation and Poverty, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 13 January 2009.
Tuesday 23 June 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Mr Virendra Sharma Hugh Bayley Mr Marsha Singh Richard Burden Andrew Stunell
1. Inquiry into DFID’s Programme in Bangladesh
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Estimates Day debate
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Inquiry into Urbanisation and Poverty
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the inquiry into Urbanisation and Poverty be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
Urb 19 Gilbert Chilinde, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Malawi
Geoffrey Payne, Geoffrey Payne and Associates consultants and Richard Shaw, Chair, UK Local Government Alliance for International Development; and, David Satterthwaite, Senior Fellow, Human Settlements Group, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and Larry English, Chief Executive, Homeless International gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 30 June at 10.00 am.
Tuesday 30 June 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Andrew Stunell Hugh Bayley
1. Estimates Day debate
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Travel in a Representative Capacity
Resolved, That the Chairman and a member of staff have leave to attend the Conference of Foreign Affairs and Development Committee Chairmen in Sweden on 6-7 September.
Ordered, That the Chairman seek approval from the Liaison Committee for the expenditure connected with the visit.
3. Inquiry into Urbanisation and Poverty
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the inquiry into Urbanisation and Poverty be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
Urb 20 Geoffrey Payne, Brenda Murphy and Cormac Davey
4. Inquiry into DFID’s Programme in Nigeria
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the inquiry into DFID’s Programme in Nigeria be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
NIG 12 Michael Peel
Dr Raufu Mustapha, Lecturer in African Politics, Oxford Department for International Development, Sam Unom, Independent Consultant and Michael Peel, Financial Times gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Wednesday 1 July at 9.30 am.
Wednesday 1 July 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Mr Virendra Sharma Hugh Bayley Andrew Stunell
1. Inquiry into DFID’s Programme in Nigeria
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Inquiry into Urbanisation and Poverty
Gareth Thomas MP, Minister of State for International Development, Yusaf Samiullah, Deputy Director and Head of Profession-----Infrastructure, Growth and Investment Group, and Peter Davies, Senior Infrastructure Adviser, Growth and Investment Group, Department for International Development gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 7 July at 10.00 am.
Tuesday 7 July 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Mr Marsha Singh Mr Virendra Sharma Andrew Stunell
1. Overseas Visit (Bangladesh and Nepal)
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Inquiry into DFID’s Programme in Nepal
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Inquiry into Urbanisation and Poverty
The Committee considered this matter.
4. DFID White Paper
The Committee considered this matter.
5. Inquiry into DFID’s Programme in Nigeria
Aboubacry Tall, West and Central Africa Regional Director, Save the Children, and Julia Ajayi, Nigeria Country Director, VSO gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 14 July at 10.00 am.
Tuesday 14 July 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Richard Burden Hugh Bayley Andrew Stunell
1. Inquiry into HIV/AIDS
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into HIV/AIDS.
2. Inquiry into DFID’s Annual Report 2009
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into DFID’s Annual Report 2009 and the DFID White Paper Eliminating World Poverty: Building our Common Future.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 13 October at 10.00 am.
Sunday 6 September – Tuesday 8 September
The Chairman and the Second Clerk visited Visby, Sweden to attend the Conference of Foreign Affairs and Development Committee Chairpersons of EU member states in a representative capacity, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 30 June.
Tuesday 13 October 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Mr Virendra Sharma Hugh Bayley Mr Marsha Singh Richard Burden Andrew Stunell
1. Inquiry into Aid Under Pressure: Support for Development in a Global Economic Downturn
Draft Special Report [Aid Under Pressure: Support for Development in a Global Economic Downturn: Government Response to the Committee’s Fourth Report of Session 2008-09] proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Fourth Report from the Committee in Session 2008- 09 was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Fourth Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
2. Inquiry into Sustainable Development in a Changing Climate
Draft Special Report [Sustainable Development in a Changing Climate: Government Response to the Committee’s Fifth Report of Session 2008-09] proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read the first and second time, and agreed to.
The Government’s response to the Fifth Report from the Committee in Session 2008-09 was appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Fifth Special Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.
3. Inquiry into Urbanisation and Poverty
Draft Report [Urbanisation and Poverty], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read the first and second time.
[The draft Report was agreed to: the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the consideration of the Report are published in the Seventh Report from the Committee, Session 2008-09, HC 511-I]
4. Inquiry into DFID’s Programme in Nigeria
Draft Report [DFID’s Programme in Nigeria], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read the first and second time.
[The draft Report was agreed to: the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the consideration of the Report are published in the Eighth Report from the Committee, Session 2008-09, HC 840-I]
5. Overseas Visit (Nepal and Bangladesh)
The Committee considered this matter.
6. Inquiry into HIV/AIDS
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the inquiry into HIV/AIDS be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
HIV 01 Interact Worldwide
HIV 02 American Pharmaceutical Group
HIV 03 All Party Parliamentary Group on AIDS
HIV 04 International HIV/AIDS Alliance
HIV 05 Help the Hospices
HIV 06 World Vision UK
HIV 07 UK Consortium on AIDS and International Development
HIV 08 VSO
HIV 09 AMREF
HIV 10 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
HIV 11 One World Action
HIV 12 UNICEF
HIV 13 KANCO
HIV 14 RESULTS UK
HIV 15 International AIDS Vaccine Initiative
HIV 16 The National AIDS Trust
HIV 17 Marie Stopes International
HIV 18 Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria
HIV 19 Department for International Development
7. Inquiry into DFID’s Programme in Nepal
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the inquiry into DFID’s Programme in Nepal be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
NEP 01 VSO Nepal
NEP 02 Department for International Development
NEP 03 Christian Solidarity
8. Inquiry into DFID’s Programme in Bangladesh
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the inquiry into DFID’s Programme in Bangladesh be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
BANG 01 Department for International Development
Women and Children First (WCF), The Diabetic Association of BANG 02 Bangladesh (BADAS) and the Centre for International Health and Development (CIHD) at UCL’s Institute of Child Health
BANG 03 Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies
BANG 04 VSO Bangladesh
BANG 05 Christian Aid
BANG 06 Muhammad Taher
BANG 07 Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
BANG 08 BBC World Service Trust
BANG 09 Dr Naomi Hossain
BANG 10 Dr Gerard Gill
BANG 11 One World Action
BANG 12 Traidcraft Exchange
9. Inquiry into DFID’s Annual Report 2009 / White Paper
Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the inquiry into DFID’s Annual Report 2009 / White Paper be reported to the House for publication on the internet.
DAR 01 DEA
DAR 02 Interact Worldwide
DAR 03 UK Learned Societies
DAR 04 All Party Parliamentary Group on AIDS
DAR 05 International Alert
DAR 06 RESULTS UK
DAR 07 UK AID Network
DAR 08 BOND
DAR 09 RSPB
DAR 10 Joint Nature Conservation Committee
DAR 11 CARE International
DAR 12 Concern Worldwide
DAR 13 Action for Global Health UK
DAR 14 UNICEF
DAR 15 Jubilee Debt Campaign
DAR 16 One World Action
DAR 17 Bond Conflict Policy Group
DAR 18 Saferworld
[Adjourned till Tuesday 20 October at 10.00 am.
Tuesday 20 October 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Mr Virendra Sharma Mr Mark Hendrick Mr Marsha Singh Daniel Kawczynski Andrew Stunell Mr Mark Lancaster
1. Declaration of Member’s Interests
Mr Mark Lancaster declared his interests, in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992, as follows:
Remunerated employment, office, profession etc: Serving Officer, Royal Engineers Territorial Army.
Overseas visits: As a Shadow Minister for International Development, some contributions are received to the costs of otherwise non-registrable overseas visits from registered donations made to Andrew Mitchell MP in his capacity as Shadow Secretary of State for International Development;
16-22 February 2009, to Uganda, at the invitation of the Malaria Consortium. Flights and in-country costs were paid by the Malaria Consortium. (Registered 23 February 2009);
9-15 March 2009, to Washington DC, to the World Bank and the IMF, as Shadow Minister for International Development. Flights and in-country costs paid by Andrew
Mitchell MP from registered donations made to him in his capacity as Shadow Secretary of State for International Development. (Registered 16 March 2009);
4-11 April 2009 to China as a guest of the Chinese Association of Friendship and Understanding. Accommodation and food paid for by the Association and flight sponsored by Mr Maurice Bennett; businessman, London. (Registered 13 April 2009);
2-12 May 2009, to St Helena, to investigate the access issues for the island in light of the ongoing DfID consultation, as Shadow Minister for International Development. Flights and in-country costs were paid by Andrew Mitchell MP from registered donations made to him in his capacity as Shadow Secretary of State for International Development. (Registered 13 May 2009);
Name of donor: Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Address of donor: South Block, Secretariat Building, Raisina Hill, New Delhi, India. Amount of donation (or estimate of the probable value): Approx. £7,500 which includes travel to and from India, travel within the country, accommodation and some meals. Destination of visit: Delhi and Cochin. Date of visit: 25 July 2009 – 2 August 2009 Purpose of visit: Part of a parliamentary delegation at the invitation of the Government of India, to gain a better understanding of matters concerning the country. (Registered 11 August 2009).
Registrable shareholdings: (a) Kimbolton Fireworks Ltd.
Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests: Parliamentary adviser (unpaid) to the Royal Society of Chemistry.
2. Zimbabwe
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Overseas Visit (Nepal and Bangladesh)
The Committee considered this matter.
4. Inquiry into DFID’s Programme in Bangladesh
The Committee considered this matter.
Dr Naomi Hossain, Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies, Professor David Hulme, Professor of Development Studies, University of Manchester, Professor Anthony Costello, Director of University College London Centre for International Health and Development, Sandra Kabir, Executive Director of BRAC and Ben Hobbs, Christian Aid gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Thursday 22 October at 9.30 am.
Thursday 22 October 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Mr Mark Lancaster Hugh Bayley Andrew Stunell
1. Committees on Arms Export Control
The Committee considered this matter.
2. Overseas Visit (Nepal and Bangladesh)
The Committee considered this matter.
3. Inquiry into Progress on Implementation of DFID’s HIV/AIDS Strategy
The Committee considered this matter.
Fionnuala Murphy, Interact Worldwide, Alvaro Bermejo, International HIV/AIDS Alliance, Sally Joss and Mike Rodmore, UK Consortium on AIDS and International Development, Mr Michael Foster MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development, Jerry Ash, Team Leader, AIDS and Reproductive Health and Alistair Robb, Senior MDG Results Adviser, Department for International Development gave oral evidence.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 10 November at 10.00 am.
Monday 26 October – Thursday 5 November 2009
The Chairman, John Battle, Hugh Bayley, Mr Nigel Evans, Mr Mark Hendrick, Mr Mark Lancaster, Mr Virendra Sharma, Mr Marsha Singh and Andrew Stunell visited Nepal and Bangladesh in connection with the Committee’s inquiries into DFID’s Programme in Nepal and DFID’s Programme in Bangladesh in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 2 June 2009.
Tuesday 10 November 2009
Members present:
Malcolm Bruce, in the Chair
John Battle Mr Virendra Sharma Hugh Bayley Mr Marsha Singh Richard Burden Andrew Stunell Daniel Kawczynski
1. Inquiry into DFID’s Programme in Bangladesh
The Committee considered this matter.
Resolved, That the Committee visit Birmingham and Tower Hamlets, in connection with its inquiry into DFID’s Programme in Bangladesh.
2. Future Programme
Resolved, That the Committee inquire into DFID’s development assistance to Zimbabwe.
3. Overseas Visits
Resolved, That the Committee visit Zimbabwe in connection with its inquiry into Zimbabwe.
Ordered, That the Chairman seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit.
4. Inquiry into DFID Annual Report 2009: briefing provided by the National Audit Office
The Committee considered this matter.
5. Travel in a Representative Capacity
Resolved, That the Chairman have leave to attend the 2nd High Level Symposium in Preparation for the 2010 Development Cooperation Forum in Vienna on 12-13 November 2009.
Ordered, That the Chairman seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit.
Thursday 12 November – Friday 13 November 2009
The Chairman visited Vienna to attend the 2nd High Level Symposium in Preparation for the 2010 Development Cooperation Forum in a representative capacity, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 10 November 2009.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 24 November at 9.30 am.