To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what further steps she is considering to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela following the recent earthquake.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what further steps she is considering to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela following the recent earthquake.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government is considering the potential merits of the return of Venezuelan gold reserves held by the Bank of England as part of international efforts to support Venezuela's recovery following the earthquakes in June 2026.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government is considering the potential merits of the return of Venezuelan gold reserves held by the Bank of England as part of international efforts to support Venezuela's recovery following the earthquakes in June 2026.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has considered deploying the UK International Search and Rescue team to support the international response following the earthquakes in Venezuela.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has considered deploying the UK International Search and Rescue team to support the international response following the earthquakes in Venezuela.

My Honourable Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Multilateral, Human Rights, Latin America and the Caribbean (Chris Elmore MP) has today made the following statement:

I am writing to update the House on the impacts of the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela and the action the Government is taking in...

My Honourable Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Multilateral, Human Rights, Latin America and the Caribbean (Chris Elmore MP) has today made the following statement:

I am writing to update the House on the impacts of the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela and the action the Government is taking in...

I am writing to update the House on the impacts of the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela and the action the Government is taking in response.

On 24 June, two major earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, caused widespread destruction across several states, including the capital, Caracas, and the port town...

I am writing to update the House on the impacts of the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela and the action the Government is taking in response.

On 24 June, two major earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, caused widespread destruction across several states, including the capital, Caracas, and the port town...

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the eligibility criteria and membership structure of the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) under the Humanitarian Response Funding mechanism; and whether she plans to launch a new call for...

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the eligibility criteria and membership structure of the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) under the Humanitarian Response Funding mechanism; and whether she plans to launch a new call for...

Yes, I am happy to do that. I am happy to talk and happy to write with more detail, if that will be helpful. On the specific question that the noble Lord asked about climate resilience, agriculture and solar energy, particularly in the blue economy we have a very active programme and have committed up to £20 million to various kinds of technical assistance. My briefers in the FCDO told me that, even if they do not ask for a letter, I should offer to send one, because we have a lot of good things to say—so I will.

Yes, I am happy to do that. I am happy to talk and happy to write with more detail, if that will be helpful. On the specific question that the noble Lord asked about climate resilience, agriculture and solar energy, particularly in the blue economy we have a very active programme and have committed up to £20 million to various kinds of technical assistance. My briefers in the FCDO told me that, even if they do not ask for a letter, I should offer to send one, because we have a lot of good things to say—so I will.

My Lords, it is my recollection that we used to be rather speedier in response when we had a separate Department for International Development, which was unfortunately abolished by the Government of the party opposite. Would the Minister, however tentatively, give some indication that, when circumstances permit, we will consider reinstating a separate Department for International Development?

My Lords, it is my recollection that we used to be rather speedier in response when we had a separate Department for International Development, which was unfortunately abolished by the Government of the party opposite. Would the Minister, however tentatively, give some indication that, when circumstances permit, we will consider reinstating a separate Department for International Development?

I am afraid that I do not feel empowered to propose machinery of government changes, tentatively or otherwise. It is important to us that our international development effort, particularly—and the whole House knows this—in tough fiscal circumstances, comes together with our diplomatic and defence efforts in a co-ordinated way. Of course, the Government will consider the right machinery of government to achieve that.

I am afraid that I do not feel empowered to propose machinery of government changes, tentatively or otherwise. It is important to us that our international development effort, particularly—and the whole House knows this—in tough fiscal circumstances, comes together with our diplomatic and defence efforts in a co-ordinated way. Of course, the Government will consider the right machinery of government to achieve that.

May I try and come to the aid of the Minister? When I was a Defence Minister and visited the Philippines, I was the first Defence Minister to go there for 40 years, and it was my pleasure to board HMS “Tamar”. “Tamar” and HMS “Spey” are two offshore protection vessels retained out in that region to provide humanitarian and general help, if required. Is the Minister aware of, or will he consult with the MoD on, whether these two ships are in a position to offer any form of support?

May I try and come to the aid of the Minister? When I was a Defence Minister and visited the Philippines, I was the first Defence Minister to go there for 40 years, and it was my pleasure to board HMS “Tamar”. “Tamar” and HMS “Spey” are two offshore protection vessels retained out in that region to provide humanitarian and general help, if required. Is the Minister aware of, or will he consult with the MoD on, whether these two ships are in a position to offer any form of support?

I will be happy to do that. The noble Baroness may have been the first Defence Minister to visit the Philippines, but she was not the last. My noble friend Lord Coaker was there very recently, talking to the Government of the Philippines about increased defence co-operation, and I will be happy to come back to the noble Baroness on the specific question about the ships. It is a strengthening relationship, but I will not steal my noble friend’s thunder.

I will be happy to do that. The noble Baroness may have been the first Defence Minister to visit the Philippines, but she was not the last. My noble friend Lord Coaker was there very recently, talking to the Government of the Philippines about increased defence co-operation, and I will be happy to come back to the noble Baroness on the specific question about the ships. It is a strengthening relationship, but I will not steal my noble friend’s thunder.

My Lords, further to the question asked by my noble friend Lord Effingham, it is not just a question of residents not wanting to go to hospitals because of fear of them collapsing. Many hospitals have been badly damaged, so people are being treated, as my noble friend said, in makeshift facilities. Can I push the Minister a bit further? We have a lot of expertise in this area, so what specific medical aid are HMG looking at and thinking of?

My Lords, further to the question asked by my noble friend Lord Effingham, it is not just a question of residents not wanting to go to hospitals because of fear of them collapsing. Many hospitals have been badly damaged, so people are being treated, as my noble friend said, in makeshift facilities. Can I push the Minister a bit further? We have a lot of expertise in this area, so what specific medical aid are HMG looking at and thinking of?

I am very happy to look specifically at what is being prepared, as it follows up on the question of the noble Earl, Lord Effingham. I reiterate, and I do want to emphasise, that there is no resistance on the part of His Majesty’s Government to supporting the Government of the Philippines in disaster relief on this disaster, and no doubt on ones in the future. I really want to stress that.

I am very happy to look specifically at what is being prepared, as it follows up on the question of the noble Earl, Lord Effingham. I reiterate, and I do want to emphasise, that there is no resistance on the part of His Majesty’s Government to supporting the Government of the Philippines in disaster relief on this disaster, and no doubt on ones in the future. I really want to stress that.

To ask His Majesty’s Government what support they intend to make available to those affected by the earthquake in Mindanao in the Philippines.

To ask His Majesty’s Government what support they intend to make available to those affected by the earthquake in Mindanao in the Philippines.

My Lords, my work in the Philippines is recorded in the Lords register. I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

My Lords, my work in the Philippines is recorded in the Lords register. I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

My Lords, I was deeply saddened to hear about the earthquake in the Philippines on 8 June and I offer my condolences to everyone impacted. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. I praise the strong and rapid response of the Government of the Philippines at a challenging time. Of course, the UK stands ready to provide humanitarian assistance if requested by the Philippines Government. We have a range of mechanisms and capabilities in place to provide that support if called upon.

My Lords, I was deeply saddened to hear about the earthquake in the Philippines on 8 June and I offer my condolences to everyone impacted. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. I praise the strong and rapid response of the Government of the Philippines at a challenging time. Of course, the UK stands ready to provide humanitarian assistance if requested by the Philippines Government. We have a range of mechanisms and capabilities in place to provide that support if called upon.

I thank my noble friend for his Answer on behalf of the Government. The good people of General Santos in South Cotabato, in the Bangsamoro region of the Philippines, have

spent the last 12 years rebuilding their economy and their communities after 50 years of civil war. They face these climate shock events on a far too regular basis. Some 32,000 people have been displaced and at least 37 have died. I hope the Government will not only be able to provide humanitarian support for a key partner country in our geopolitical relationships but continue to provide support in the Philippines for action against climate change and in support of peace-building efforts, following the conflict and the civil war that affected that region in particular for so long.

I thank my noble friend for his Answer on behalf of the Government. The good people of General Santos in South Cotabato, in the Bangsamoro region of the Philippines, have

spent the last 12 years rebuilding their economy and their communities after 50 years of civil war. They face these climate shock events on a far too regular basis. Some 32,000 people have been displaced and at least 37 have died. I hope the Government will not only be able to provide humanitarian support for a key partner country in our geopolitical relationships but continue to provide support in the Philippines for action against climate change and in support of peace-building efforts, following the conflict and the civil war that affected that region in particular for so long.

I pay tribute to my noble friend for the work that he has done in the Philippines over many years, particularly in the Bangsamoro region. He has been involved for more than a decade, I think, and that has been a remarkable commitment where he has achieved and contributed to real change.

The UK has provided humanitarian assistance in recent years to support the Philippines Government’s response to the major natural disasters that have impacted the country. My noble friend is right to say that these are often climate-related. The Philippines is one of the countries that are most vulnerable to climate-related disasters, and we have been strong supporters of it. We also have a modern development partnership with the Philippines.

I pay tribute to my noble friend for the work that he has done in the Philippines over many years, particularly in the Bangsamoro region. He has been involved for more than a decade, I think, and that has been a remarkable commitment where he has achieved and contributed to real change.

The UK has provided humanitarian assistance in recent years to support the Philippines Government’s response to the major natural disasters that have impacted the country. My noble friend is right to say that these are often climate-related. The Philippines is one of the countries that are most vulnerable to climate-related disasters, and we have been strong supporters of it. We also have a modern development partnership with the Philippines.