§ Mr. Bruce GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's involvement in international police training, with particular reference to that in countries seeking to re-establish democratic systems; and what is his Department's budget for this work. [47301]
§ Mr. George RobertsonThe Ministry of Defence gives assistance to the police forces of other countries from time to time, mainly through the provision of places on training courses in the United Kingdom or through training by members of the UK Armed Forces.
Requests for assistance are considered in the light of the Government's wider foreign policy, and we take account of the human rights and ethical records of the requesting nation's police and armed forces. All training provided by the MOD reflects the principles of the rule of law, good government, civilian control of military forces and support to democracy.
My Department has no budget dedicated specifically to international police training, although on occasion overseas police assistance has been funded from the Defence Military Assistance Fund.