International Development

Wednesday 21st November 2012 Ministerial Corrections

Afghanistan

[Mrs Moon]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) how many (a) schools and (b) clinics have been financed and constructed by the UK Government in Helmand Province in Afghanistan; how many such schools and clinics (i) have been closed and (ii) she expects to close; and if she will make a statement;

(2) what discussions she has had with the Government of Afghanistan on identifying future sources of funding for schools and clinics in Helmand Province; and if she will make a statement.

[Official Report, 19 October 2012, Vol. 551, c. 472-3W.]

Letter of correction from Alan Duncan:

An error has been identified in the written answer given to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mrs Moon) on 19 October 2012.

The full answer given was as follows:

[Mr Duncan]

UK funding through the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) has built 11 health clinics and seven schools since 2007, with two of each currently under construction. The Helmand provincial education and health departments are responsible for the future of these facilities. They have stated that all are open and active and that they intend to maintain these services in the future.

The UK-led PRT is in regular contact with the Afghan Government, in Helmand and Kabul, to ensure that adequate funding is provided for future operation and maintenance of these services.

The correct answer should have been:

[Mr Duncan]

Twelve health facilities and 28 schools have been built, are in the process of being built or have been refurbished since 2007. The Helmand provincial education and health departments are responsible for the future of these facilities. They have stated that all are open and active and that they intend to maintain these services in the future.

The UK-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) is in regular contact with the Afghan Government, in Helmand and Kabul, to ensure that adequate funding is provided for future operation and maintenance of these services.