MP Imran Ahmad Khan calls for 'new muscular' Government department merger to go further

Wakefield MP Imran Ahmad Khan has called for the Department for International Trade (DIT) to be drawn into a merger between two Governmental arms.

Speaking in the Commons today Conservative Mr Khan said he welcomed the amalgamation of the Department for International Development (Dfid) with the Foreign Office, which was announced earlier this month.

But he also pushed for more far-reaching changes, to “further maximise the United Kingdom's effectiveness” by taking in the DIT too.

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The move to merge the two departments has been criticised by three former prime ministers, former international development secretaries, opposition MPs and aid charities.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab answers a question from Wakefield MP Imran Ahmad Khan.Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab answers a question from Wakefield MP Imran Ahmad Khan.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab answers a question from Wakefield MP Imran Ahmad Khan.

But Mr Khan said: “The three prongs of Britannia's trident- diplomacy, trade, and development working together - are vital for Her Majesty's Government to achieve its vision for global Britain.

“Every policy adopted by our outward facing ministries must leverage our influence, expand our commercial interests, and bolster our national security. I enthusiastically welcome the merger of International Development within the Foreign Office. It better ensures the maintenance of an overarching coordinated and cohesive strategic approach.”

He said adding DIT should be “drawn fully into the new muscular Foreign and Commonwealth Office”.

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But Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he “was not going to be drawn down the very tempting line” put forward by Mr Khan.

But he said: “I can give [Mr Khan] a crumb of reassurance, I think, which is that trade commissioners will be directly accountable to the ambassador or high commissioner in the specific post, that will make sure we're more aligned and joined up country by country in the way I think he's described.”

Reports have suggested Mr Raab’s department has its eyes on DIT, which is responsible for delivering the UK’s post-Brexit trade policy, following its takeover of Dfid.

But he previously said: “We’re not proposing to integrate DIT into the new Foreign, Development and Commonwealth Office.”

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Mr Raab also faced a string of questions from opposition MPs over the decision.

Labour chairwoman of the International Development Committee and Rotherham MP Sarah Champion warned of the impact of Covid-19 in the global south which she said was causing "chaos and decimation and loss of life".

She asked: "Why, when the Dfid staff are trying their hardest to shore up the global south against Covid-19, he has taken this moment in time to bring forward a very confusing, complicated and expensive merger?

"Is he still looking for it to be completed by September 1, and also, are the 30 per cent cuts that the Treasury is asking for ODA (Official Development Assistance) budgets in this financial year or in future spend?"

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Mr Raab replied: "Can I reassure her that we are still absolutely committed and we intend to deliver on the merger by September? The reality in answer to her question about why now - coronavirus has illustrated just why it is so important to have an integrated and aligned approach."

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