Today I was pleased to chair the first meeting of the Camberwell and Peckham International Development Panel. There are a great many people in Southwark who are knowledgeable and care about development - people whose country of origin are developing countries, people in faith groups and people who work in development organisations like Southwark based Save the Children.

Setting up the Department for International Development was one of the most important acts of the previous Labour Government. Making sure this government maintains our commitment will be my main objective. I was interested to hear what people from Camberwell and Peckham think my objectives should be, and what we should be calling on the Government to do on International Development.