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Dept for International Development

Answer

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assistance the Department has given to the re- establishment of (a) the electrical power system, (b) the legal system, (c) a police force and (d) a banking system in Iraq. [125694] Hilary Benn: DFID has provided over £7 million to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assist in the restoration of electricity supplies in Iraq. The work undertaken has included needs assessments, repairs to generation and transmission plant, equipment for maintenance crews, equipment for a hospital and for water pumping and purification plants, and lighting for Umm Qasr port. The Government have seconded police advisers to the Coalition Provisional Authority to contribute to the development of policing in Iraq, and advisers to the Justice Ministry to assist in prison reform and undertake a general review of the judicial system. 31,000 police officers have reported back to work, and courts and prisons have begun operating again. The Government have not provided assistance for the banking sector. The Coalition Provisional Authority has, however, been working to help restore the banking system, and many banks are now open. To date, DFID has committed £155 million towards humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in the current crisis. Further assistance will be considered in view of emerging needs and the outcome of social and economic needs assessments being undertaken by the World bank, the IMF and United Nations agencies.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

125694; 409 c330-1W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Bank services Development aid Electricity generation Electricity Humanitarian aid Iraq Police Legal systems Reconstruction

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk