Written question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Tunnicliffe (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 May 2009.

Iraq: Reconstruction and Development

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what tangible benefits have resulted from British official expenditure of some £744 million on reconstruction, development and aid to Iraq since 2003.

Answer: The benefits of the United Kingdom's development assistance to Iraq include: successful conclusion of 190 projects to reconstruct healthcare facilities and 400 projects to reconstruct education facilities; repair of 5,000 leaky water pipes, laying 200 km of pipes and clearing 7,000 septic tanks and 40 km of drains; refurbishment of Basra pumping station and a major reverse osmosis plant, enabling 1 million people to access clean water; connecting 65,000 households to electricity for the first time, and providing a further 240,000 households with an improved supply; building the capacity of Basra Provincial Council which has now managed over 800 development projects worth over $650 million since 2006; and delivery of £180 million in humanitarian assistance to 4.8 million people displaced in Iraq and the region, enabling them to receive food, water, shelter medical care and protection. As we look forward, the United Kingdom's most recent priority has been to help Iraq attract investment. To this end we have: facilitated over 30 visits by international investors, leading to proposals worth over $10 billion; funded 1,000 small enterprises in southern Iraq to access credit to expand their businesses; and worked with the Ministry of Labour in Basra on a vocational training and employment programme for 500 young people.

Secondary information