To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they have given this year to the Independent Directorate of Local Governance in Afghanistan, and the Afghan Social Outreach Program; and with what combined objectives. [HL497]

The UK provided £1.4 million support to the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) in 2007-08, and is working closely with other donors to determine collectively how the IDLG can best be supported in the medium term. This assistance has helped the IDLG develop its strategic work plan, a draft sub-national governance policy, and supported infrastructure and staffing improvements. The UK has allocated up to $590,000 this financial year to help implement the Afghan Social Outreach Programme (ASOP) in Helmand. By supporting both the IDLG's broad mandate on sub-national governance and ASOP directly, the UK's objective is to help develop an acceptable and accountable local governance structure.