Davey quizzes PM on Sri Lankan aid after tsunami and backs “Fish and Ships” Commons initiative

12.1.05

On Parliament’s first day back after the Christmas recess, Kingston and Surbiton MP, Edward Davey, asked the Prime Minister about the distribution of aid in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the tsunami.

After Boxing Day, Edward Davey, had been speaking to a number of British Tamil constituents with family and friends on the east and north of Sri Lanka, who had stories of aid not getting through to stricken communities, and the Liberal Democrat MP wanted to follow up a previous letter he had written to the Prime Minister, on the floor of the House.

Edward Davey asked the Prime Minister, “What assurances has he sought and received directly from President Kumaratunga that aid will be given to all stricken communities, including those in the north and east of the island? If he receives evidence that the Colombo Government are falling short of fulfilling their humanitarian responsibilities, will he ensure that the British Government follow the lead of the Italian, Danish and Norwegian Governments and freight aid direct to those communities, even in Tamil-led and Tamil-controlled areas?”

To which the Prime Minister replied, “The Sri Lankan Government have given that assurance very strongly, and they repeated it in Jakarta on Thursday. We will make sure that that is held to. We have to look at the best way of getting aid out to people. Normally, that will be working through the Government concerned, but it is important that aid gets to every part of Sri Lanka, and I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we will do everything that we can to facilitate that.”

Commenting afterwards, Edward Davey MP said,

“The Prime Minister’s reply was helpful, but we will be holding him and the Colombo Government to account, to make sure all communities on Sri Lanka get the help they need.”

Edward Davey MP has attended a private briefing with the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, and the International Development Secretary, Hillary Benn, to raise other concerns.

Edward Davey has also backed a cross-party initiative – “Fish and Ships” – attending its Commons Launch. The “Fish and Ships” idea, involves help direct to the fishermen of Sri Lanka, to help them back to work – repairing ships, and buying their fish.