To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government has provided assistance to the government of Democratic Republic of Congo on arms stockpile management and weapons import marking. (248686)

[holding answer 19 January 2009]: The UK is one of the largest bilateral donors in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), contributing some £70 million this financial year to build a capable and accountable state, reducing violent conflict and its impact. This includes a number of projects designed to promote Security Sector reform. However, we have not provided assistance to the government of the DRC specifically on arms stockpile management or weapons import marking.