§ Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what part his Department played in discussions within the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq leading to changes to Iraq's banking legislation; and for what reasons no provision was made for credit unions. [163354]
§ Hilary Benn: While not directly involved in these discussions, DFID and other Government Departments were aware of the content of the legislation as it was being drafted, and a Bank of England Secondee to the CPA was involved in the drafting process. The main reason for introducing the new banking legislation was to allow for the establishment of a modern banking sector in Iraq as quickly as possible. The legislation is accordingly focused on this basic requirement.
It will be for future Iraqi Governments to decide on the detailed features of their financial system, including provision for credit unions.
§ Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what work (a) his Department, (b) the Coalition Provisional Authority and (c) non-governmental organisations are undertaking in Iraq to (i) build confidence in the banking system and (ii) ensure that women have equal access to (a) banks and (b) other financial services. [163355]
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§ Hilary Benn: Building confidence in the banking system in Iraq will take time, and will depend to a considerable extent on the quality of the legal and institutional framework in which the banking system operates. The newly introduced banking legislation in Iraq is intended to provide the basic framework in which an effective banking sector can develop and gain the confidence of the Iraqi people.
Increasing women's participation in banking and other financial services is being addressed as part of wider efforts to enhance women's participation in political and economic activity generally.
§ Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what efforts (a) his Department and (b) the Coalition Provisional Authority are taking to ensure that the judicial system in Iraq offers equal justice for women. [163405]
§ Hilary Benn: DFID is funding a programme of Justice Sector Support, which is delivering training on international human rights law to 988 members of Iraq's judiciary, prosecution service and Bar Association. This includes training on women's rights. Through support to the Judicial Training Institute and the Iraqi Bar Association, the programme will also promote the professional role of women in the justice system. This is an important start to addressing women's access to justice.
The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) has been monitoring the potential impact of new legislation on women's access to Justice. The UK has been a strong advocate of women's rights in Iraq. This is a priority in DFID's interim Country Assistance Plan for Iraq, copies of which are in the Libraries of both Houses.
§ Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) resources and (b) financial support the (i) Coalition Provisional Authority and (ii) UK Government are offering to develop the Iraqi judicial system. [163406]
§ Hilary Benn: Coalition Provisional Authority assistance to the Iraqi justice sector includes a team which is providing advice and support to the Ministry of Justice. The team also provides access to resources for the repair, reconstruction and security of Court premises and prison facilities, and the identification and training of judicial and prosecutorial personnel. The CPA also provides advisers to an Office of Human Rights and Transitional Justice. Assistance focuses on forensic assessment and exhumation, training for local capacity building, control of standards and missing persons. The CPA is providing over $99 million project support to the Iraqi justice sector.
DFID has recently agreed justice sector support totalling £2.1 million over two years. The programme aims to strengthen the independence, integrity and professionalism of the Iraqi judiciary, prosecution service and Bar Association and includes training on 1111W human rights law, ethics and standards. Additionally, the justice sector is one of the areas identified for support through the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq, to which DFID is making an initial contribution of £70 million.
The UK Government have also seconded one adviser to the CPA team advising the Ministry of Justice, another to advise CPA South, six advisers to the team working on Transitional Justice and Human Rights, and three prison rehabilitation and reform advisers.