Harman backs law on overseas aid

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The shadow international development secretary has said she backs the government's plan to introduce legislation setting the amount of aid the UK will send overseas.

At departmental questions today Harriet Harman told international development secretary Andrew Mitchell that she "strongly supports" providing at least 0.7 per cent of gross national income.

Mitchell said the government set out in the comprehensive spending review how they will meet that commitment and it will be "enshrined in law as soon as the parliamentary timetable allows".

Stephen Pound (Lab, Ealing North) asked for a "firm date" for when the legislation will be introduced.

Mitchell said it was a matter for the business managers and not for him.

Philip Davies (Con, Shipley) said setting a specific target is "ludicrous gesture politics".

Mitchell said we could spend that amount of money "twice over", but the international community made a promise and the government "will not balance the books on the backs of the poor".

Harman then gave her support to Mitchell, and said that UK aid is "of vital importance", especially in the Horn of Africa.

She paid tribute to the generosity of the British people's donations to the emergency appeal for victims of the drought in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia.

Harmans asked what steps are being taken to ensure other nations "do their bit".

Mitchell said his department is "looking carefully" at the humanitarian crisis in Somalia, where refugees are crossing into northern Kenya.

He told the House he is to visit the region shortly.

"It is essential that other countries put their shoulder to the wheel," he said.

Fiona Mactaggart (Lab, Slough) asked about the situation in Gaza.

International development minister Alan Duncan said the current access arrangements imposed by Israel "punish the ordinary people of Gaza".

He said that Israel must realise the restrictions are not in its interest.

Mactaggart asked why Israel will not allow unarmed volunteers deliver aid.

Duncan said he is confident that Tony Blair, as special representative of the Quartet, will be able to negotiate with the Israelis to secure "a better outcome".