§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) of 11 March 2002,Official Report, column 691 W, on drug trafficking, what anti-drugs assistance has been given to countries in 610W south-west and central Asia; and what assistance has been given for border security and surveillance in those countries. [44711]
§ Mr. MacShaneWe have allocated approximately £4.5 million for counter-narcotics projects in central and south-east Asia in financial year 2002–03.
This region has already benefited significantly from FCO funding. The main recipients for the financial years 1998–2002 have been Iran (approximately £2.9 million, mostly via UNDCP) and the five Central Asian Republics (approximately £500,000).
FCO overseas anti-drugs assistance is targeted at improving law enforcement capacities in the main producing and trafficking countries which pose a direct drugs treat to the UK through the provision of equipment and training.