§ Andrew SelousTo ask the Secretary of State, Department for International Development, by when he expects electricity will be fully available throughout the British occupied sector of Iraq [132049].
§ Hilary BennPower supplies in the South of Iraq have shown progressive improvements in recent weeks due to a steady increase in generating and transmission capacity combined with lower demand as a result of cooler weather.
The average person in Basra now has access to electricity for about 20 hours per day, although grid failures can lead to longer local outages. Outside Basra the situation is more variable. In other urban areas power is now available for an average of four hours out of six. Some isolated communities remain without access to power, as they were before the conflict.
The provision of full electricity supply will require significant additional investment in the medium to long term. [132049]