§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the additional funding for reconstruction in Iraq announced on 14 October will come from planned expenditure for the Department. [134487]
§ Hilary Benn[holding answer 27 October 2003]: The £248 million committed since the beginning of this financial year has been found without any changes to existing programmes. This includes substantial contingency funding from both DFID and the Treasury's Central Reserve.
Over the next two years, funding for the reconstruction of Iraq includes £50 million reallocated from planned programmes, together with DFID contingency funding of £115 million and contributions from other Departments. Our Public Service Agreement includes the commitment to increase the share of our bilateral programme going to low income countries to 90 per cent. by 2005–06. As a consequence of the temporary increase in funding for Iraq, which we expect to return to middle income status soon, we will also need to move a further estimated £50 million from middle 494W income country Programmes to low income country programmes. This is in line with our commitment to the 90 per cent. target. The reallocation of planned expenditure should be viewed in the context of a development assistance budget that will increase by £900 million over the current spending review period 2003–06.
§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development when refugee repatriation to Iraq will recommence; and what assistance he is offering the UNHCR to return to Iraq. [135116]
§ Hilary BennThe United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has made clear that refugee repatriation to Iraq will begin once conditions have become conducive to their safe and dignified return. The Department for International Development has provided £1.75 million to UNHCR since the start of the conflict to assist with their work in Iraq and neighbouring countries.
§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development when the Baiji oil refinery complex in Iraq will undergo its maintenance phase; and what impact this will have on oil supplies in Iraq. [135123]
§ Hilary BennThe Baiji refinery provides more than half of Iraq's refined oil products. Major maintenance work on it is much needed and long overdue. According to the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, the most urgent work will begin in December 2003, with one of the refinery's three units being taken out of service at a time. It is expected that the initial focus will be on the gasoline equipment, while keeping the diesel and kerosene plants working as far as possible throughout the winter. Major work is expected to be deferred until the spring in order to allow for additional fuel reserves to be built up. Taking the refinery off-line when demands are high and reserves are low could risk disrupting supplies significantly. Meanwhile, fuel is being imported to help meet current demand.
§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what efforts are being taken to reduce smuggling of fuel products in Iraq. [135124]
§ Hilary BennUK forces are maintaining a long-term presence in the Arabian Gulf to intercept smugglers. Coalition forces have recently been supported by HMS Sutherland and HMS Kent. The UK is also training the Iraqi Riverine patrol service to monitor the Shatt al Arab waterway and Khawr Zubayr. Once trained, an element of this force may provide the core element of Iraqi Coastal Defence force. Measures to enhance border security have been agreed with neighbouring countries and UK forces routinely provide support to Iraq border guards.
In a recent anti-smuggling operation, from 6 to 26 October 2003 covering the whole of the UK area of responsibility, 291 people were arrested, weapons were confiscated and over 50 vehicles, 28 barges and 12 boats suspected of smuggling oil and copper were detained. Suspected smugglers have been handed over to the Iraqi authorities to face trial. Over 2,000 US troops supported the UK-led forces in Multinational Division South East.
495WThis campaign has been supported by the implementation of a legal framework, through CPA Order No. 12 of 31 August 2003, which allows the confiscation of property such as trucks or ships used in the theft of natural resources or state property.
Fuel prices are low in Iraq compared with elsewhere in the region. Until this disparity is reduced, and the economic incentive it provides is diminished, smuggling is likely to remain a problem.
§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq is taking to ensure the equitable distribution of fuels. [135125]
§ Hilary BennWith the exception of kerosene, the supply of fuel in Iraq at the end of September was the best since the cessation of hostilities. This was largely due to extensive imports of gasoline, LPG and diesel by the Coalition Provisional Authority and the Iraqi State Oil Marketing Organisation. Imports are expected to continue into 2004 while Iraq's refining capacity recovers and the country regains self-sufficiency in fuel. The Ministry of Oil is also working towards establishing adequate reserve stocks to provide a buffer for unexpected disruptions in supply or surges in demand.
The distribution of fuel is a challenge. Pipelines are susceptible to sabotage and theft, and the dilapidated state of many limits their capacity. Road and rail transport, which is being used to help compensate for these problems, also faces capacity constraints. The Coalition Provisional Authority is taking steps to strengthen security for pipelines and other installations by providing better communications, centralised control systems, a more integrated approach and improved incident response times.
§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action he is taking to increase the supply of LPG bottles available outside Baghdad. [135128]
§ Hilary BennThe overall supply of LPG cooking gas in Iraq has improved significantly in recent months, coming close to meeting demand by the end of September 2003. However, efficient distribution throughout the country has been hampered by an over-centralised management system and communications difficulties.
Management of the distribution system has been improved over recent weeks with the installation by the Coalition Provisional Authority of better communications systems between critical locations, and much closer co-ordination between the CPA and the sections of the Ministry of Oil responsible for distribution.
§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to his answer of 6 October 2003,Official Report, column 1011W, on schooling in Iraq, whether an assessment has been made of the balance between the sexes of the children taking exams in June and July. [135137]
496W
§ Hilary BennNo assessment has been made of the balance between the sexes of the children who took exams in Iraq during June and July. The administrative systems in the country do not at present have the capacity to collect such information.