International Development (Reporting and Transparency) Bill

I am extremely grateful to the hon. Gentleman. I agree, and that is reflected in the Bill’s requirement that there should be reports relating to proper accountancy and accountability, as well as transparency. That, I think, is consistent with the hon. Gentleman’s view. At the heart of my Bill is an annual report to Parliament on progress made by the United Kingdom on international development. Eveline Herfkens, co-ordinator for the United Nations millennium campaign, has said:"““Parliamentarians need to scrutinise their governments’ Millennium Development Goal 8 positions on an on-going basis to ensure that they are in line with what their governments signed in the Millennium Declaration and Goals.””" People such as Eveline Herfkens have consistently argued that it is critical that Parliaments and parliamentarians monitor their countries’ commitments to increase aid, and important for Parliaments to achieve cross-party agreement on that vital issue. That is one of the reasons why I welcome the fact that sponsors and supporters of the Bill are drawn from all parts of the House, reflecting a progressive consensus on the need to prioritise international development. I am particularly grateful to the hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr. Mitchell), who has intimated to me that he supports the Bill.