Written question asked by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative) on Friday, 14 November 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 November 2008. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 November 2008 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Stabilisation Unit

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the Stabilisation Unit's performance against its aim of improving capacity to finance stabilisation activities to achieve desired effects in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan.

Answer: The UK Government have increased the funding available for stabilisation activities, and have put in place a better mechanism for managing these funds.In April 2008, the UK Government established the Stabilisation Aid Fund (SAF) as a shared budget to support stabilisation activities. The SAF has improved the effectiveness of UK stabilisation operations by requiring and enabling a more integrated approach to their development, management and delivery.I refer the hon. Member to my answer given on 5 March 2008, Official Report, column 2578W, to the hon. Member for Newark (Patrick Mercer), regarding the role of the Stabilisation Unit in respect of the Stabilisation Aid Fund.

Secondary information