Written question asked by Syd Rapson (Labour) on Friday, 12 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 December 2003. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 December 2003 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what role his Department has in establishing a civilian government in Iraq by the Iraqi people. (Failed OPQ)

Answer: Syd Rapson: To ask the Secretary of State, Department for International Development what role his Department have in establishing a civilian government in Iraq by the Iraqi people. [144417] Hilary Benn: The Department are playing an important role, in support of the Coalition Provisional Authority, in preparing for the planned transfer of sovereignty to Iraq's Transitional Authority in July 2004. DFID has seconded over 40 advisers to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Basra and Baghdad to support civilian government during the occupation of Iraq. We intend to commit substantial further resources from early 2004 towards strengthening the capacity of Iraqi central government Ministries to manage the country effectively Work to train members of the judiciary will also begin in 2004. We will also be prepared to consider support for the conduct of democratic elections in Iraq, and have agreed in principle to support civic education, and other initiatives to ensure that as many Iraqis as possible are equipped to participate in the process of political transition to a democratically elected civilian government.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 415 c917W; 144417
Session: 2003-04
Question not reached: Yes
Subjects: Civil servants Citizenship Judiciary Iraq Politics and government Training Secondment
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk