Results 1-20 of 992 for (in the 'Commons debates' OR in the 'Westminster Hall debates' OR in the 'Lords debates' OR in the 'Northern Ireland Assembly debates') speaker:Michael Foster

Sri Lanka (IDP Camps) — [Dr. William McCrea in the Chair] (28 Oct 2009)

Michael Foster: This is a little like playing Manchester United—you get a couple extra minutes when you play them. I remind hon. Members that humanitarian funding is provided by DFID to neutral and impartial agencies and that none of its funding goes directly to the Sri Lankan Government themselves. The hon. Member for Cotswold asked what DFID was doing to facilitate movement out of the camps, and I...

Sri Lanka (IDP Camps) — [Dr. William McCrea in the Chair] (28 Oct 2009)

Michael Foster: I echo the words of my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, North (Barry Gardiner) about how appropriate it is that you are in the Chair, Dr. McCrea, for this debate. I thank my right hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, North (Joan Ryan) for securing the debate, which is not only timely but incredibly well attended. I also thank colleagues from all parties for their excellent contributions and...

Sri Lanka (IDP Camps) — [Dr. William McCrea in the Chair] (28 Oct 2009)

Michael Foster: I want to make a bit more progress. I have only a couple of minutes, but I will try to get through my points are quickly as I can. It is clear that the monsoon has the potential to wreak huge damage to the sanitation systems in the camps that are, at best, described as fragile. The hon. Member for Edinburgh, West spoke about the tents. Yes, they are in poor condition, because they have been...

Oral Answers to Questions — International Development: Sri Lanka (21 Oct 2009) has video

Michael Foster: Two weeks ago, I visited Sri Lanka to see for myself the situation of the 250,000 internally displaced people detained in camps. Conditions have improved there compared with my previous visit in April, with basic needs such as food and shelter being met. However, health care and humanitarian access remain inadequate and we are concerned about military oversight of the camps and family...

Oral Answers to Questions — International Development: Sri Lanka (21 Oct 2009) has video

Michael Foster: The Government of Sri Lanka were committed to having 80 per cent. of those detained in camps going back to their places of origin by the end of the year. To facilitate that process, I am pleased to announce today an allocation of £500,000 to the HALO Trust for mine surveillance and de-mining in the Mullaitivu area. That work has started and will make the area safe for homes and for land...

Oral Answers to Questions — International Development: Sri Lanka (21 Oct 2009) has video

Michael Foster: It is important that the international community makes clear its position with regard to the number of people still in the camps and the importance of freedom of movement. We believe that that is happening, but, as far as the Commonwealth's position is concerned, I know that the Government of Sri Lanka are keen to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in a couple of years' time....

Oral Answers to Questions — International Development: Sri Lanka (21 Oct 2009) has video

Michael Foster: My hon. Friend has long been an advocate for her Tamil constituents and I applaud her for her commitment. As regards the GSP plus and the announcement made this week by the European Commission, there is a process that should be followed to maintain the integrity of the GSP plus system. We believe that in the meantime the Government of Sri Lanka should look at the findings and act on them swiftly.

Oral Answers to Questions — International Development: Sri Lanka (21 Oct 2009) has video

Michael Foster: The right hon. Gentleman knows the situation well from his own experience and from his experience as Chairman of the Select Committee. I agree entirely with his assessment that it is in the Government of Sri Lanka's interest to allow open access to the media. During the visit that I undertook two weeks ago, I had people from the BBC with me. It had full access to camps and individuals within...

Oral Answers to Questions — International Development: Sri Lanka (21 Oct 2009) has video

Michael Foster: When I was in Sri Lanka, I made it clear to the Government that from the end of this year, when the monsoon season was brought to a conclusion, we would no longer be funding aid for closed camps and that our aid would be directed towards facilitating movement from the camps. That includes the de-mining to which I have referred and means that I can announce £250,000 for predictable, safe...

Oral Answers to Questions — International Development: Sri Lanka (21 Oct 2009) has video

Michael Foster: We were speaking up for all the people I saw in the camps two weeks ago. It was clear that they wanted to be returned to their homes as quickly as possible, but the nature of the closed camps, with their restrictions and military oversight, is wholly wrong. That is why our assistance will be geared to the de-mining, transport and livelihood programmes, as they will enable people to move...

Oral Answers to Questions — International Development: HIV Vaccine (Funding) (21 Oct 2009) has video

Michael Foster: The Department has committed a total of £78 million for the international AIDS vaccine initiative. That comprises £38 million from 1998 to 2007 and a further £40 million from 2008 to 2013. The United Kingdom's Government were the first to fund the IAVI, in 1998, and we have remained a major bilateral supporter, providing the long-term and predictable support that we believe is...

Oral Answers to Questions — International Development: HIV Vaccine (Funding) (21 Oct 2009) has video

Michael Foster: We gave a cautious welcome to the findings that have recently come from research in Thailand, for example. We believe that prevention must be at the heart of our approach to dealing with HIV/AIDS, and that the search for a viable, effective and accessible vaccine must be the backbone of our approach to prevention.

Oral Answers to Questions — International Development: HIV Vaccine (Funding) (21 Oct 2009) has video

Michael Foster: My right hon. Friend has had a long-term interest in international development, and I pay tribute to that. I entirely agree with his sentiment that it is important that people who have embarked on treatment continue with it if we are to deal with the scourge of HIV/AIDS.

Oral Answers to Questions — International Development: Moldova (21 Oct 2009) has video

Michael Foster: The Department for International Development is holding discussions with the new Government of Moldova about our assistance programme. Indications are that the new Government wish to see ongoing support for their national development strategy, economic development in rural areas, conflict resolution and reform of the social assistance system.

Oral Answers to Questions — International Development: Moldova (21 Oct 2009) has video

Michael Foster: The UK will of course support the new Government of Moldova, because it is not in our interest to have an unstable, impoverished and divided Moldova on the border of the EU.

UK Grocery Market (14 Oct 2009)

Michael Foster: I begin by congratulating the hon. Member for St. Ives (Andrew George) not only on securing this important debate at such short notice, but on his long-standing interest in development—an interest you share, Mr. Streeter. I welcome the opportunity to make a few observations on his comments. Around the world, 2 billion people depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. The fragility of...

UK Grocery Market (14 Oct 2009)

Michael Foster: I understand the hon. Gentleman's point, and I assure him that, over the coming weeks, the Government will keep in contact with him on this issue, which he has pursued with vigour for some time, so that we can deal with his concerns. I should like to put on the record the commitment that my Department has to ensuring that agriculture and food security are given the highest attention not just...

UK Grocery Market (14 Oct 2009)

Michael Foster: The hon. Gentleman may have misinterpreted what I said. Of course we will have discussions with BIS. My point was that we do not have sufficient evidence to show the direct impact of an ombudsman on developing countries. Although there is a logical argument to be made, and we will make it, we do not have the depth of evidence required to prove the impact of an ombudsman on developing...

Oral Answers to Questions — International Development: Humanitarian Assistance (Pakistan) (24 Jun 2009) has video

Michael Foster: My Department has made available £22 million for humanitarian assistance in Pakistan, which is helping those displaced by conflict in the federally administered tribal areas as well as those displaced in North West Frontier province. With our international partners, we are ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches those who need it most through established co-ordination mechanisms...

Oral Answers to Questions — International Development: Humanitarian Assistance (Pakistan) (24 Jun 2009) has video

Michael Foster: My hon. Friend is right to point out the fact that an estimated 2.4 million people have been displaced as a result of the conflict, the vast majority of whom are living in host communities. To ensure that aid gets to those living in host communities, we have helped to establish 34 separate aid stations to enable the fair distribution of aid.