§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the components are of the planned short-term increase in development aid for Nepal; what proportion is(a) military, (b) policing and (c) intelligence-related; and if she will make a statement. [30341]
§ Clare ShortThere is no short-term increase in UK development assistance to Nepal. The aid framework for 2001–02 is £20 million and DFID Nepal expects to spend all of this on development activities, including a number of short-term initiatives to deliver development benefits to people in conflict affected areas.
DFID Nepal has worked to assist the Nepal police to develop into a more open and accountable service, and we are discussing the possibility of continuing support for reforms and modernisation. We have not of course used development assistance to fund any military or intelligence-related activities. The UK has provided training and logistics support to the Royal Nepal Army through the Global Conflict Prevention Pool, which is jointly funded by MOD, FCO, HMT and DFID.