HC Deb 28 May 2004 vol 422 c96W
Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the general principles he adopts with regard to(a)payments to private security forces and (b)payments that may involve the purchase of small arms for security purposes. [176796]

Hilary Benn

On(a), the general principle I adopt is that the overarching purpose of all DFID's activity is to work towards the elimination of poverty. In the very limited number of cases where private security companies might represent the most effective means by which DFID can promote this objective in a specific context, DFID may use services of reputable private security companies for specific narrow purposes. For example, we are using private security companies to protect our staff working in Iraq and Afghanistan. We would also consider using private security companies on security sector reform programmes, for example delivering training, if we judged them the most cost-effective option to deliver a given programme.

On (b), the principle I adopt is that funds allocated for aid programmes and projects should not be used to purchase arms and ammunition. But in respect of funds allocated to the costs of ensuring the security of staff, when DFID employs private security companies to protect staff implementing projects and programmes in dangerous environments, the security situation might sometimes require those companies to carry arms.