§ Mr. DjanoglyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the payment system to poppy growers in Afghanistan(a) last year and (b) this year; which countries met the cost of the system; and how much in sterling each paid; how many growers took part; how much each poppy grower received; and what the take-up rate was. [134865]
§ Mr. RammellIn 2002, the Afghan Government considered it appropriate to offer a one-off programme of compensation payments to opium poppy farmers on the basis that the poppy crop had been planted during the Taliban regime. The UK provided financial assistance worth £21.25 million in order to support the new regime's commitment to tackle drugs production but it was the responsibility of the Afghan authorities to
£ 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2001–01 2001–02 2002–03 Maintenance 19,093 3,510 24,561 15,918 1,245 4,089 Renovation 3,354 15,246 — — — — Council tax 202 325 350 375 410 491 Running costs—rent 15,225 25,180 27,300 54,000 54,000 54,000 Utilities 6,637 8,049 1,620 4,723 5,251 3,971 Total 44,511 52,309 53,831 75,016 60,906 62,551 A downward rent review in 1995 resulted in a credit of £46,200 being received for overpaid rent during the 1997–98 period. A rent review in April 2000 resulted in a rate increase.