James Sunderland questions Government’s role in duty of care towards aid workers

In a debate on the publication of the report by the Select Committee for International Development, “Afghanistan: UK support for aid workers and the Afghan people”, James Sunderland asks about the Government’s duty of care towards aid workers.

James Sunderland (Bracknell) (Con)

I thank the hon. Member for her excellent statement. I do not want to put her on the spot, but can I ask her what duty of care she thinks the Government have towards aid workers?

Sarah Champion (Chair of the International Development Select Committee)

The Government’s contracts with non-governmental organisations are very clear that they do not have a direct duty of care. However, my Committee felt that they do have a moral duty of care, because in the country in which they operate, they are operating as the face of the UK Government—they are going to stations with the UK flag on them, with “UK Aid” written on them, particularly when they are working directly with the UK embassy. We felt that the Government very much have a moral duty towards aid workers, even if there is not a personnel-type duty towards them.

Hansard