Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Baroness Whitaker (Labour). It was answered on Thursday, 26 January 2006.

Iraq: Reconstruction

Question: My Lords, does my noble friend agree that social reconstruction is an important part of the reconstruction of Iraq, and can she say what the Government are doing to enhance civil society and the training of the ordinary justice function?

Answer: My Lords, enhancement of the social sector is important. We are doing a considerable amount of work in the justice sector. We have trained 216 Iraqi judges, lawyers and prosecutors in human rights, international humanitarian law and independence of the judiciary. In addition to that, we have a £5 million civil society fund, which is funding nine partnerships between nascent Iraqi and international NGOs, many of which are focused on engaging with government and helping government to become more responsive.

Secondary information