§ Mr. WatsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will define the Government's commitment to the reconstruction of Gaza and Jericho following the middle east peace award(a) in terms of financial assistance and (b) in terms of technical assistance.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydBoth financial and technical assistance are needed to support the establishment of a Palestinian administration in Gaza and Jericho. We intend to spend £70 million on aid to the Palestinians, over the three financial years from 1994–95, through our contributions to EC aid programmes and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, as well as bilaterally. The EC assistance includes 10 mecu in 1994 for the start-up costs of the Palestinian police force. Our bilateral aid takes the form of technical assistance, concentrating on providing know-how and institution building.