Speeches by Mathew.

“Are you saying that the conflict in the east affects the politics in the rest of the country, or is it separate? Is it seen as the east is the east?”

“How could the UK best support civil society in the DRC? Perhaps, Hélène, we will start with you and then let us hear from you, Fred.”

“Fred, how would you describe the domestic political situation in DRC at the moment?”

“The Foreign Secretary has made it clear that a ceasefire in Sudan is a key priority. In the light of the Berlin conference’s shortcomings, can she detail the diplomatic, economic and political levers she is using to bring an end to the violence, particularly with the UK’s allies, including the UAE, with direct stakes i…”

“Thank you; that would be useful.”

“You mentioned coltan earlier. Does coltan follow similar routes? Where is coltan traded?”

“All right, sorry. Then let us just hear from Fred on that one.”

“Have the Government considered issuing defence bonds, as proposed by the Liberal Democrats, to ringfence capital for defence spending? If not, why not?”

“Young constituents in Melksham and Devizes who are waiting months for driving tests are resorting to paying premium prices for cancellation apps, often getting slots halfway across the country, just to get on the road. One 20-year-old told me that the costs of the wait killed his motivation entirely and that driving wa…”

“3. What steps she is taking to help reduce waiting times for driving tests.”

“My question is very much related to that. How are we engaging with the ICJ to ensure that crimes against humanity are being recorded, that action will be taken, and that belligerents know this? What we have heard is that they reckon they are completely free to do whatever they like, and they are behaving appallingly.”

“My question is about the UK’s international climate finance. There are two parts to it but it is one question. How confident are you that the UK can maintain its climate leadership role, with reduced allocation? Secondly, in your view, what are the risks associated with the Government’s increasing reliance on private f…”

“Perhaps I can lead on from that and you will see the possible connection here. Baroness Chapman, you might like to think about this too. Last Sunday was World Water Day, but yesterday it emerged that the FCDO is closing down its UK WASH Systems for Health only part-way through its five-year programme, giving just three…”

“I have two questions, if I may. Starting with you, Foreign Secretary, what is your strategy to communicate the Government’s decisions on aid to the UK public?”

“Yesterday, I and my colleagues on the International Development Committee met staff from Action Against Hunger, who had just returned from Lebanon, to hear about the horrors they have seen on the ground there. I am grateful for the added support that has been talked about, but when we and the people of our country see,…”

“I and many others in my constituency of Melksham and Devizes, and no doubt across England, welcome the new animal welfare strategy for England, particularly the banning of snares, which are indiscriminate and cruel. What progress is being made on protecting hares during the breeding season, and on delivering on the ple…”

“2. What progress she has made on banning snare traps.”

“What is your assessment of the impact of remaining sanctions on the ability of humanitarian actors to deliver UK aid effectively?”

“In June 2025 the UK Government announced that they intended to keep the impact of sanctions amendments under review. What progress have you made ?”

“Leading on from that, what assessment has the Government made of the implications of sanctions relief and the influx of foreign aid for the potential diversion of UK aid into illicit financial channels?”