Written question asked by Madeleine Moon (Labour) on Friday, 13 April 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 17 April 2012. It was answered by Alistair Burt (Conservative) on Thursday, 19 April 2012 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Afghanistan

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of funding allocated by his Department to programmes to develop the prison sector in Afghanistan have been used to construct women's prisons; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Since 2009, the UK has spent in the region of £3.7 million on projects to support the prison sector in Helmand Province. In addition, the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Helmand Province is working with the Afghan prison authorities in Helmand Province to construct a dedicated female detention facility in Lashkar Gah. The project is still at the planning stage and the costs will be in the region of £500,000. Construction will commence later this year and should be completed in 2013.

Secondary information