Speeches by Mundell.

“It is a real privilege to serve under your chairmanship for the first time, Mrs Lewell-Buck. I will keep it brief because we are constrained by time. It is a pleasure to follow the hon. and learned Member for North Antrim (Jim Allister) because he made so many of the points that are relevant to the A75. The A75 is a co…”

“I welcome much of what the Minister has said—that of a non-political nature, anyway—but can she tell us the Government’s approach to the Union connectivity review, which was focused on ensuring that we have a network across the United Kingdom and on bringing it together?”

“We have a number of very significant replenishments coming up to existing multilateral arrangements, such as the Global Fund and Gavi. Where do you think the balance is currently sitting between bilateral and multilateralism, which you referred to, Nick? Are the resources there to be able to support even previously exp…”

“Let us do that, please.”

“The last time that you were here, Sir Philip, I found you a little bit evasive around the issue of Abercrombie House, which we were discussing. It then turned out that within about 24 hours, the FCDO made an announcement that it was leaving Abercrombie House to go to other premises in Glasgow. I wonder, given that thos…”

“It was very professional of you.”

“Within that—just going back to what you were saying, Sir Philip—one of the issues that previously emerged was that the pattern of grades of the work available was not a balanced one, so it was therefore not possible to progress. If you wanted to progress, you would have to leave Scotland.”

“As the Chair has indicated, we were hoping to visit Abercrombie House and the staff in Glasgow. What are they going to tell us? Are they going to give us a positive message in relation to how this process has developed and been managed?”

“Welcome, Minister. What are your overall priorities for the UK’s development programme during your term of office?”

“In the context of funding, there has always been an ongoing debate between bilateral and multilateral funding. Do you have a view as to where the right balance applies there? We are heading up to two very important replenishments, the Global Fund, which I raised with you in the Chamber, and Gavi.”

“In my initial question I did not specifically reference the Nutrition for Growth Conference, because I understand that you are going to come back to us as part of our SDG2 inquiry. In relation to your priorities, do you intend to attend the conference in person?”

“You have two roles, because you are also the Minister for Women and Equalities. How do you balance those roles? Are they complementary or does it challenge your time allocation?”

“There are big challenges, because certain countries are moving backwards in relation to LGBT+ rights. The issue of providing help and support, yet at the same time not supporting the policies and environment that the Government on the ground are creating, is a big challenge.”

“Let us do that, please.”

“The last time that you were here, Sir Philip, I found you a little bit evasive around the issue of Abercrombie House, which we were discussing. It then turned out that within about 24 hours, the FCDO made an announcement that it was leaving Abercrombie House to go to other premises in Glasgow. I wonder, given that thos…”

“It was very professional of you.”

“Within that—just going back to what you were saying, Sir Philip—one of the issues that previously emerged was that the pattern of grades of the work available was not a balanced one, so it was therefore not possible to progress. If you wanted to progress, you would have to leave Scotland.”

“As the Chair has indicated, we were hoping to visit Abercrombie House and the staff in Glasgow. What are they going to tell us? Are they going to give us a positive message in relation to how this process has developed and been managed?”

“Welcome, Minister. What are your overall priorities for the UK’s development programme during your term of office?”

“In the context of funding, there has always been an ongoing debate between bilateral and multilateral funding. Do you have a view as to where the right balance applies there? We are heading up to two very important replenishments, the Global Fund, which I raised with you in the Chamber, and Gavi.”