To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 25 March 2009, Official Report, columns 17-19WS, on conflict resources 2009-10, how much of the planned expenditure in the Middle East in 2009-10 has been allocated to stabilisation activities in Iraq. (267733)

Of the £18 million assigned to the Middle East North Africa Programme for 2009-10, £13.1 million will be spent on stabilisation activities in Iraq.

Stabilisation activities there will focus on support for security sector reform by building Iraqi police and judiciary capabilities in forensics and investigations techniques across the country; fostering economic growth, investment and job opportunities in the Basra region; developing the capacity of the Council of Representatives; and reconciliation initiatives.