Alan Duncan's news feed

Alan meets the Pope

On Wednesday 15^th February Alan was granted an audience with Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican as he took part in a ministerial delegation visiting the Holy See to discuss a range of issues with their counterparts.

The two day visit followed on from the Pope’s own successful state visit to Britain in 2010. In addition to Alan, the visit to the Vatican included the minsters responsible for Culture, Northern Ireland and Energy, as well as Conservative Party Chairman Baroness Warsi, who delivered a speech on the place of religion in modern society. Alan was present in his capacity as Minister of State for International Development to discuss the government’s projects in the developing world with Vatican officials. He had a meeting with Cardinal Peter Turkson to discuss where the UK and the Vatican can work together to help alleviate suffering amongst the world’s poor. The main focus was on vaccinating children and getting girls into school.

As well as being honoured with an official dinner to mark their visit, Alan and his ministerial colleagues were also received by his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican.

Alan said: ‘I was very pleased to be part of this ministerial visit. The Vatican were enormously hospitable and although of course there are some differences between Catholic doctrine and our philosophy of development we have so much in common and we were able to concentrate on the things we agreed on. It was a
great privilege to meet the Pope.’

Court victory for Rutland

MP Alan Duncan and High Sheriff Peter Lawson have succeeded in upholding the name of Rutland in the English courts system.

In a letter to the MP last week, Justice Secretary Ken Clarke confirmed that plans to exclude Rutland’s name from the official name of a new regional court cluster were to be reversed. A recent reorganisation of court clusters was due to create a new grouping simply called ‘Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire’, despite it also covering Rutland.

When Peter Lawson learnt of the plans before Christmas he wrote to the Ministry of Justice, only to be told by an official that they would not be changing their mind and would not add the county’s name to the list. He subsequently enlisted the help of Alan Duncan, who made representations directly to Ken Clarke. As his letter confirms, as a result of these discussions Ken Clarke has intervened personally and the historic county’s name will now be added.

Alan said: ‘I pounced on him in the corridor and asked him to look out for my letter. I said we might be little, but we are a county, and it is surely absurd and unreasonable that we might end up as the only county in England not to be included in the official title of the newly-structured court system. The great thing about Ken is that he is very decisive, and if he thinks there is a good case for something he won’t let civil servants pull the wool over his eyes. He has been really helpful on this, and Rutland should be grateful to him’

Peter Lawson said: “Appointed by Her Majesty to maintain justice within the County, this change was important for me. Although we have a Crown Court in Oakham Castle every two years, it is essential that Rutland is properly recognised across all parts of the justice system. That we have now achieved.”

Alan welcomes Rutland's headteachers to Parliament

On Tuesday 31st January, Alan met Rutland's headteachers in Parliament.

The school heads were invited by Baroness Berridge to discuss local educational issues. After lunch, Alan met with the headteachers to hear their views on education in Rutland and national education policy more broadly.

Alan said: 'I often enjoy visiting schools in the constituency, but it was a nice change for them to come up to us for the day. Today was a great opportunity to discuss education in the county and to thank the heads again for their hard work and commitment to our schools.’

Photo Credit: Debbie Sedgwick

Alan presents international award to school

On Thursday 26th January, Alan visited Cardinal Heenan Catholic Sports College in Liverpool to award its students with the British Council's prestigious International School Award. The award, which is the highest in its category, recognises the exceptional contributions made by schools which engage with international issues.

The school has been at the forefront of providing an international dimension to its curriculum. Its links to schools across the world, including in Sierra Leone, provide a unique opportunity for the school's students to develop their knowledge of international issues beyond what they may read in textbooks.

During the award ceremony, Alan took questions from the students on a range of issues, including the Government's commitment to international development.

Alan commented: 'These young people are tremendously inspiring. They have a real grasp of the world around them. They understand that investing British aid in fragile and conflict-affected countries is a smart move, delivering real results for the very poorest and protecting Britain from external threats.'

Photo: Crown Copyright

Alan meets Nobel Prize Winner

On Thursday 15^th December Alan and Foreign Secretary William Hague met Tawakul Karman, this year’s co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and prominent Yemeni journalist turned activist.

Yemen continues to suffer from political instability, poverty and a lack of infrastructure and has been a key focus for the Department for International Development during the Arab uprisings.

Ms Karman came to prominence during the Arab Spring and is the youngest ever Nobel Laureate and the first Arab woman to receive the accolade.

Speaking after the meeting, Alan said: ‘I raised the grave and continuing humanitarian and development challenges facing Yemen with Ms Karman. I also emphasised the UK’s ongoing commitment to helping poor and vulnerable Yemenis who have suffered as a result of months of instability and conflict and discussed how best to represent and address the future needs of all sections of Yemeni society."

Photo: Crown Copyright. Alan with Tawakul Karman and Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt.

Alan enjoys festive fun at school

On Saturday 3^rd December, Alan joined Somerby Primary School for festive fun at its annual Christmas Fair.

The school, which currently has 13 pupils on its roll, serves the villages of Somerby, Pickwell and Tilton.

While Somerby is not currently operating at full capacity, the rural catchment area makes the school a vital resource in the provision of education to the local communities.

Alan said: ‘Somerby Primary, like many other rural schools, faces particular pressures because of its remoteness and the low number of pupils on its roll. However, today I saw Somerby at its very best. I have really enjoyed joining in with the pupils’ Christmas cheer and excitement. The mince pies were lovely too!’

Photo: Tim Williams

MP supports Fairtrade Market

On Saturday 19^th November, Alan joined shoppers and local businesses for the Fairtrade Market at Oakham Castle.

Oakham’s Mayor, Councillor Joyce Lucas, officially opened the Fairtrade Market. Clothes, crafts, gifts and cards were on sale, while a Fairtrade fashion show entertained shoppers and stallholders in the afternoon.

Alan said: ‘Fairtrade is more than just a slogan. I witness first-hand the benefits of Fairtrade in my role as Minister for International Development, and I am proud to see Rutland continuing to play a leading role.’

Photo (left-right): Cllr Joyce Lucas, David Lewis (Chair of Rutland Fairtrade Steering Group) and Alan.

Alan goes back to school

On Friday 11^th November, Alan was invited to talk to pupils at Edith Weston Primary School about his role as Member of Parliament for Rutland & Melton and Minister for International Development.

The pupils had previously welcomed a doctor, paramedic and financial adviser, among others, to discuss their respective professions and answer questions about their day-to-day jobs.

Alan enjoyed a lively discussion with the Year 6 pupils on subjects ranging from the Government’s commitment to International Development to Alan’s encounters with The Queen. The students were particularly interested in the recent revolution in Libya, and how the UK Government is helping millions of children around the world receive an education and the most basic, yet lifesaving, healthcare.

Alan commented: ‘Today's talk was an excellent opportunity to explain to the pupils how our decisions in Parliament can influence issues of local, national and global significance. I hope that their impressive interest in the issues which we discussed, from Libya to the NHS, inspires some of them to get involved in politics to represent their communities when they are a little older.'

Alan welcomes Cottesmore plans

Alan today welcomed the announcement from the Ministry of Defence that the Army will be arriving in Cottesmore a year ahead of schedule, in July 2012.

In a letter from the Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey, Alan was told of the plans to move the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglican Regiment of over 600 troops from Cyprus to Cottesmore next July. This will be followed with the arrival in 2013 of a further 450 service personnel from 7 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps by Summer 2013.

Alan said: ‘It is good news that the Army are coming to Cottesmore. Seeing the details confirmed like this is very reassuring. We’ll get the Anglian Regiment in 2012 and the Logistics core in 2013. Rutland will get ready to welcome them warmly when they arrive.’

Alan calls for Poppy Pride

Alan today called on people across the county to wear their poppy with pride and on people to bring shame to employers who ban their workers from wearing one.

Amid stories of some retailers clamping down on the wearing of poppies on spurious uniform guidelines, Alan appealed for common sense to prevail.

Alan said: ‘The poppy is the most dignified form of recognition for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, and those who continue to put themselves at risk on our behalf. It should never be relegated in importance and those that wish to should be free to wear it at work. Rutland & Melton has a long and continuing relationship with the armed forces and we should wear our poppy with pride.’