United Nations Relief and Works Agency

HC Deb 28 July 1976 vol 916 c281W

Mr. Ridley

asked the Minister for Overseas Development how much of the United Kingdom's contribution to UNRWA for the current year goes to the Palestinians; and how much of this he estimates has been spent on armaments.

Mr. Judd

All contributions to the budget of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency are used for the provision of basic humanitarian services to registered Palestine refugees of the 194849 Arab-Israeli conflict and to those displaced by the 1967 hostilities. The Commissioner-General of UNRWA has given assurances that everything possible is done to see that all contributions are used for the purposes set out in the Agency's mandate. An annual report and audited accounts are submitted to the United Nations General Assembly describing UNRWA's activities. I accordingly have no reason to believe that there is, or has been, any expenditure on armaments from the United Kingdom's contribution to UNRWA.