Speeches by Harding.

“I speak today to new clause 42, which is in my name. It would require the Secretary of State to undertake an assessment of the potential merits of removing the cap on sitting days in the Crown court and to lay a report before Parliament. I am pleased to bring this issue before the House. Our criminal courts are cripple…”

“Renewed violence in Gaza continues against a backdrop of unimaginable human suffering. Millions remain in desperate need of food, water and medical supplies, yet aid convoys continue to face unacceptable obstacles. The UN reported yesterday that many of the 177 aid trucks that entered Kerem Shalom were limited by conge…”

“I just want to pick up on your comment on migration. My understanding is that the largest number of unaccompanied minors who came to the UK on small boats were from Sudan. These are basically boys under 18 years old. However, and I think this is right, the Integrated Security Fund was not funding Sudan because it was n…”

“The article goes on to say that the UN—”

“That is according to documents seen by the UN Security Council, according to The Guardian.”

“British military equipment.”

“Minister, there are obviously human rights atrocities and violations of international humanitarian law happening in Sudan right now. Today, a report in The Guardian says that British military equipment has been found on the battlefields in Sudan. Even after the UN Security Council first received materials alleging that…”

“Can we turn to El Fasher and the terrible situation developing there now, which poses risks to civilians left in the city and those trying to flee the city and access essential support? We have heard from organisations on the ground that those able to flee towards Tawila are adding to approximately 600,000 displaced pe…”

“The total ODA budget, not just for Sudan.”

“In terms of the protection of budgets, it is your indication that we need to go further into crisis, because the humanitarian situation is getting far worse, so can you commit that the ODA budget will not be further cut from where it is at the moment?”

“Thank you for joining us, Minister. Last time we saw you, you confirmed that funding for Sudan would not be cut, yet in the annual report and accounts we see an 18% reduction for Sudan and a 23% reduction for South Sudan. Can you explain those cuts in light of your previous comments?”

“I have one on the back of Dan’s question. Following on from what you said, Scott, has there been a loss of influence or reputation for the UK as a result of British Council closures so far, or would there be were there more?”

“To return to the Soft Power Council question, this has been set up at a time when the British Council is losing funding. That seems contradictory to me. What is your take on that?”

“So presumably, looking for the next opportunity for British soft power, for example, is on hold.”

“So instead of expansion, you are looking at keeping the offices you have. Is there no room for expansion under current budgets?”

“You said that a funding uplift would allow you to reverse closures in Europe and the USA, and expand into Francophone and Lusophone Africa. Why those places specifically?”

“On the back of that, I was taken by what you said about the work that you did with the integrated security fund, which has been cut and therefore you are not able to do your work. You talked about the structural problems of your financing. Is it the case that the British Council has almost been a victim of its own succ…”

“In your conversations with the FCDO, you obviously have the mitigation of the loan and what to do with the loan. Why is there an obstacle to sorting that out? What is it that the Foreign Office is not getting about the work of the British Council?”

“So it would almost halve your presence overseas.”

“How many countries were you open in before covid?”