§ Mr. Stephen TwiggTo ask the Secretary of State for International. Development if she will make a statement on the Palestinian Authority's decision to close the schools under their control. [137502]
§ Clare ShortWe understand that the Palestinian Authority closed its schools for security reasons but that most of them have now re-opened. This is entirely a matter for the Palestinian authorities.
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid Her Majesty's Government have spent on Palestinian education and schools in each of the last six years. [137500]
§ Clare ShortUK development assistance for Palestinian education since 1995–96 has totalled £3,371,925. This 591W includes support to the Palestinian Authority and NGOs. Available information on annual expenditure is as follows:
Year £ 1995–96 328,943 1996–87 561,560 1997–98 1,176,306 1998–99 757,679 1999–2000 547,437 In addition the UK has provided a total of £47,278,000 to the United Nations Works and Relief Agency, mainly as contributions to the Agency's core budget. This is used to provide education, health and welfare services to Palestinian refugees in the West Bank and Gaza and neighbouring countries. Our annual expenditure has been:
Year £ million 1994–95 6.0 1995–96 6.666 1996–97 8.14 1997–98 10.067 1998–99 3.371 1999–2000 13.034