Iraq (Hansard, 19 December 2003)

§ Mr. Carmichael
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the average wage paid to engineers from(a) Iraq, (b) the USA and (c) the UK who are working on reconstruction projects in Iraq is. [145280]

§ Hilary Benn
Insufficient information is available on rates of pay for individuals working in Iraq to be able to assess average wages for particular professions or nationalities. DFID"s policy is not to make public the salaries paid to individual consultants and contractors.
It can reasonably be assumed that pay rates for engineers working in Iraq vary significantly according to the qualifications, experience and circumstances of the individual, the type of contract and the employing organisation.

§ Mr. Carmichael
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps are being taken to recruit Iraqi engineers for reconstruction programmes in Iraq. [145281]

§ Hilary Benn
Iraqi engineers are already involved in identifying Iraq's reconstruction needs, setting priorities and supporting implementation of projects. UN agencies and NGOs employ large numbers of Iraqi technical staff including engineers. In the south DFID funds the Recovery and Infrastructure Group (RIG), which is refurbishing key government buildings, and another project, which is rehabilitating the offices for the Governorate teams. We are also funding the Emergency Infrastructure Project, which is carrying out emergency refurbishment of power, water and fuel supply infrastructure. The consultants leading those projects employ Iraqi engineers as integral members of their teams. DFID staff have been impressed by the technical competence of the Iraqi engineers.

§ Mr. Gardiner
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if his Department will work with the Coalition Provisional Authority to ensure that efforts are made in the forthcoming school year to ensure gender equality for(a) the number of children attending school and (b) the number of children taking exams in Iraq. [145604]

§ Hilary Benn
DFID is funding three education advisers to work with CPA South and liaise with CPA, including on gender equality. We have provided significant support in Iraq to UNICEF, who share our concerns about all Iraqi children being able to complete their schooling and who have a particular responsibility for championing gender equality. Over the coming year we also expect to make a substantial contribution to the multi-donor trust fund for Iraq, a significant proportion of which is likely to be used to support the education sector.
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§ Tom Brake
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when(a) he and (b) departmental officials last met Paul Bremer (i) in Iraq, (ii) in the UK and (iii) elsewhere. [145914]

§ Hilary Benn
DFID"s Permanent Secretary and I met Paul Bremer in Iraq in September 2003.
Regular contact between the Government and Ambassador Bremer is conducted through the Prime Minister's Special Representative to Iraq, Sir Jeremy Greenstock. DFID staff in Baghdad are also in frequent contact with US officials in the Coalition Provisional Authority.