Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in reducing corruption within the Afghan Government. [136237]

Alistair Burt, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Foreign & Commonwealth Office: Corruption remains an endemic problem in Afghan society. We continue to support the Afghan Government's efforts to tackle the problem, for example by strengthening the judicial system, developing the capacity of the Ministry of the Interior to investigate cases of corruption within the police force and to build sustainable accountability mechanisms. We have supported the Ministry in introducing anti-corruption measures, such as a Crime-Stoppers helpline and mobile anti-corruption teams, as well as providing expertise on Afghan Government management of public finances.

We also provide training and logistical support to the Major Crimes Task Force (an investigative unit focusing on serious cases of corruption, organised crime and kidnapping) and we played a critical role in supporting the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Tribunal in Kabul, a court dedicated to hearing corruption cases. While progress is being made, it will require a long-term effort and measurable progress will take time.

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