§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the nature of the assistance provided by the European Union to the South African Police Service as part of Operation Rachel. [112348]
§ Clare ShortThe European Union has agreed to provide up to 200,000 euros under the Common Foreign and Security Policy to the South African Police Service as the implementing agency of Operation Rachel for 1999–2000. This is part of the EU Joint Action initiative to combat small arms proliferation. The UK contribution to this will be about 16 per cent. or £20,000. In addition, the Government have provided £6,000 of Satellite Telephone Systems for Operation Rachel, through direct bilateral assistance.