asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What is their response to the report on the training of the Afghanistan police force prepared by the State Department and the Department of Defense of the Government of the United States.

My Lords, the document is a report produced by the US State Department for internal use, and we have not received a copy.

My Lords, I am disappointed to hear that. This is a very worrying situation. The UK is responsible for counter-narcotics but we have to rely on the American-trained Afghan police, who, according to this report, are corrupt and incapable of carrying out even routine law enforcement work. How is the UK contributing to the vital work of reconstructing the ANP, and how is that co-ordinated among coalition partners, who, apart from the US, appear to be doing very little?

My Lords, I understand the seriousness of the report as it was reported in the New York Times article. If the allegation is correct then Her Majesty’s Government will express their concerns to the United States because a well functioning police force is vital to democratic society. Noble Lords may be interested to know that, in the summer, Ken Deane, the UK Chief Police Adviser who has a seat on the new international police co-ordination board, suggested an overall review of all police training. I trust that that will happen in the not too distant future. As for the counter-narcotics operation, as noble Lords will be aware, the UK helped to establish the counter-narcotics police of Afghanistan. I understand that the UK is responsible for training the police in that organisation.

My Lords, could the Minister update us on the status of Mohammed Daoud, until recently the governor of Helmand province, who was appointed with British support and seemed to be doing a good job? If the reports of his sacking are correct—they also allege it was done at the behest of certain US personnel out there—then what does it mean for the police training we are talking about, the rule of law and the eradication of the poppies in Helmand province?

My Lords, we are aware of the situation but the appointment of governors is a matter for the democratically elected Government of Afghanistan. As the noble Lord will be aware, Governor Daoud has made very good progress in his engagement with local communities in Helmand province. We trust that whoever replaces him will have the same sort of record and follow on from his excellent work.

My Lords, does the UK police career structure encourage or discourage UK police officers from undertaking duties overseas in places like Afghanistan and Iraq?

My Lords, I am not equipped to comment on the UK police structure. However, I know that a sizable number of police are working in Afghanistan advising various government ministries and working in the provinces. That is taking place also in other situations where we need to assist in building a well functioning police force, for example in Iraq.