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24 Jun 2010 : Column 348W—continued
International Development
Afghanistan: Overseas Aid
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 4 June 2010, Official Report, columns 603-6, on Afghanistan, over what period the £200 million for training and strengthening the police forces and Government institutions is to be spent; from what budget the funding is drawn; and how much will be spent on each priority for the expenditure. [3705]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development (DFID) will allocate the additional £200 million from its own budget to support the Afghan Government over the next four years (2010-11-2013-14).
DFID is currently reviewing its programme for Afghanistan. The Kabul Conference, scheduled for July, will be a key point for the Afghan Government to set out their development priorities and for the international community to set out their plans to support these.
We will make specific decisions on spending and focus areas in time for this event.
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what proportion of the additional £200 million of aid for Afghanistan announced on 10 June 2010 will be distributed through the United Nations Development Programme; [3730]
(2) what proportion of the additional £200 million of aid for Afghanistan announced on 10 June 2010 will be allocated to (a) policing, (b) improving training, livelihoods and education, (c) Afghan-led stabilisation, including justice and dispute resolution at a sub-national level, (d) improving governance and revenue generation and (e) supporting Civil Service reform; [3731]
(3) what proportion of the additional £200 million of aid for Afghanistan announced on 10 June 2010 will be distributed (a) through the Government of Afghanistan, (b) through civil society organisations, (c) through multilateral organisations and (d) directly by the Government; [3732]
(4) whether the £200 million allocation of aid for Afghanistan he announced on 10 June 2010 meets the definition of overseas development assistance used by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Development Assistance Committee. [3778]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development (DFID) is currently reviewing its programme for Afghanistan. The Kabul Conference, scheduled for July, will be a key point for the Afghan Government to set out their development priorities and for the international community to set out their plans to support these.
We will make specific decisions on spending and focus areas in time for this event.
All aid spending will continue to meet the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) definition for official development assistance (ODA).
Departmental mobile phones
Mr Khalid Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for West Bromwich East of 14 June 2010, Official Report, column 310W, on departmental mobile telephones, what the (a) purchase cost of the handset, (b) network provider, (c) type of tariff and (d) name of the supplier was in respect of the BlackBerry device issued to (i) the Minister of State and (ii) the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State. [4063]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The cost of the BlackBerry handsets issued to the Minister of State and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State were £235 each. The network provider and supplier is Vodafone. The tariff is 'Teamwork and BlackBerry'.
Developing Countries: Climate Change
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether funding for the Government's contribution to the Fast Start programme announced on 31 May 2010 is to be drawn from existing aid allocations. [3727]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK's contribution to Fast Start finance will be drawn from the UK's aid budget. This is a continuation of the previous Government's position, announced in the answer provided on 22 February 2010, Official Report, column 242W by the hon. Member for Harrow West (Mr Thomas), on Overseas Aid: Climate Change.
Overseas Aid
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of establishing his Department's proposed aid watchdog; [3725]
(2) when he expects his Department's proposed aid watchdog to be fully operational. [3726]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: We have taken the first steps towards creating a new independent aid watchdog. Details are currently being worked out, and I will keep the House informed of progress.
South Africa: HIV Infection
Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to tackle the HIV epidemic in South Africa. [3545]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development (DFID) is working with a range of South African organisations, including the Government of South Africa's Ministry of Health, to meet the following targets set out in the National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS:
Reduce new HIV infections by 50%;
Reduce mother to child transmission to 5%; and
Expand coverage of treatment, care and support to 80%.
In "The Coalition: our programme for government", the Government highlighted it's commitment to restricting the spread of HIV and AIDS. In the coming months DFID will be reviewing its aid programme to determine how we can achieve better value for money for the taxpayer and accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, including the targets for HIV and AIDS.
St Helena
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much financial aid has been allocated to St Helena in 2010-11. [3802]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 17 June 2010 , Official Report, column 55W, on British Overseas Territories: Overseas Aid.
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much financial aid he plans to provide to St Helena in each of the five financial years from April 2011; and if he will make a statement. [3803]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: In the coming months the Department for International Development (DFID) will be reviewing its aid programme to determine how we can achieve better value for money for the taxpayer and fulfil our obligation to the citizens of UK overseas territories. Allocation of funding to UK overseas territories will be determined as part of the review.
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much financial aid has been given to St Helena in each year since 2008. [3857]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Details of aid provided to St Helena by the Department for International Development (DFID) are published annually in 'Statistics on International Development', which is available in the Library and on the DFID website at:
DFID provided £17,550,000 and £35,738,000 to St Helena and dependencies (including Tristan da Cunha) in 2007-08 and 2008-09 respectively. Figures for 2009-10 will be published later this year.
St Helena: Airports
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he expects to make an announcement in respect of the start date for building an airport on St Helena; and if he will make a statement. [3801]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: We are currently considering the question of access to St Helena. I will inform the House of any decision that is made.
Sudan: Overseas Aid
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will put in place measures to ensure continuous and regular funding for recovery and stabilisation in southern Sudan. [3468]
Mr Andrew Mitchell:
The UK remains committed to implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan which is the best foundation for stability and
recovery between the North and the South of Sudan. The tri-departmental Stabilisation Unit has an Adviser based in the HMG team in Southern Sudan. The UK also contributes to a number of funds operating in Southern Sudan with a stabilisation focus, including the UK-Netherlands Southern Sudan Recovery Fund which is piloting support to state-level stabilisation plans.
We are currently reviewing all our aid, including aid channelled through multilateral agencies to ensure it is as effective as possible and brings real benefit to the world's poor and conflict-affected populations.
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of mechanisms to account for expenditure from the funds administered by the UN in Sudan. [3469]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Mechanisms in place include narrative and financial reports as well as audited statements in line with UN procedures. Department for International Development (DFID) staff also conduct regular monitoring of progress and formal annual reviews in line with our own project management procedures.
We are currently reviewing all our aid, including aid channelled through multilateral agencies to ensure it is as effective as possible and brings real benefit in terms of building peace and delivering assistance to those affected by conflict.
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