Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Tuesday, 7 September 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 September 2004. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 September 2004 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will make a statement on responsibility for the management of the Development Fund for Iraq.

Answer: Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on responsibility for the management of the Development Fund for Iraq. [188343] Hilary Benn: Under the United Nations Security Council resolution 1546 (8 June 2004) resources in the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) are managed and disbursed solely at the discretion of the Interim Iraqi Government. The International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB) continues its work as an audit oversight body for the DFI. The IAMB oversees audits conducted by international accounting firms of (i) oil export sales, (ii) the accounting for the proceeds from oil export sales, (iii) the DFI financial statements, and (iv) the disbursement procedures for DFI resources. In March 2004 the IAMB approved the Coalition Provisional Authority's appointment of KPMG to conduct audits in two stages: first for DFI activities up to the end of December 2003, which reported on 15 July; and second for the six months to 28 June 2004, on which KPMG expects to report in early October 2004. As with the first stage audit reports, the IAMB will make the reports of the second stage available on its website (http://www.iamb.info). Oil export sales and DFI operations after 28 June 2004 will be examined by external auditors to be appointed by the Government of Iraq. The IAMB will work with the Government of Iraq to ensure the early appointment of appropriately qualified external auditors.

Secondary information