HC Deb 15 June 2004 vol 422 cc802-3W
Mr. Tynan

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department has provided to enable the Palestinian Authority to prepare for elections. [178594]

Hilary Benn

The Government welcomes the recent announcement by the Palestinian Authority (PA) to hold municipal elections between August 2004 and mid-2005. The European Commission has committed €10 million to enable the PA to prepare for these and other elections. 17 per cent. of this expenditure is attributable to the UK. DFID has no plans to provide additional bilateral financial assistance for elections.