§ 4. Mr. Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield)If she will make a statement on the effects of her Department's aid to promote improved health and living standards in the West Bank and Gaza. [138106]
§ The Secretary of State for International Development (Clare Short)We are working to support the Palestinian Authority to prepare for statehood as part of the middle east peace process, now tragically stalled. This work includes helping the Palestinian Authority to deliver better basic health services and to improve access to essential water and sanitation services. Closure of the west bank and Gaza has, however, led to continuing economic decline.
§ Mr. BurdenI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply and draw her attention to a meeting that is being hosted by Christian Aid in the House this afternoon to highlight the situation in the middle east. Will she join me in refuting the ridiculous stories that have been placed in at least one national newspaper purporting to say that British aid is being used to fund terrorism? In refuting that, will she join me in saying that we cannot have full economic development for the Palestinian people while they are denied the human rights that most of us take for granted, while they cannot move freely around their own land, while their schools are shelled by Israeli troops and while they are forced to live in communities that often resemble Bantustans? Will my right hon. Friend join me in saying that the international community must redouble its efforts to accompany its aid programme by ensuring a durable and lasting peace in the middle east that is based on United Nations resolutions?
§ Clare ShortI am glad to have the opportunity to confirm that, despite the claim in the News of the World, 296 the technical assistance and the equipment provided to Palestinian schools in no way support terrorism. It is disgraceful to call into question that help with such slurs and lies, which were not checked with anyone in my Department. I also agree—I would have thought that the whole House did—that the situation in the middle east is tragic and dangerous and that life cannot improve or prosper for either the Israeli or Palestinian people as long as the conflict continues. We desperately need a just peace and we need it as soon as possible. It will come in the end, because neither side can achieve victory through military means. The conflict is a tragedy for both peoples.