§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made with the Palestinian national authority in establishing satisfactory forms of financial accountability that allow the efficient and effective disbursement of aid.
§ Mr. BaldryAgreement has been reached with the Palestinian authority on a mechanism for the proper and efficient disbursement of the £3 million which we are providing towards Palestinian police salaries. The United Nations works and relief agency, which has long experience of paying salaries under conditions that are subject to audit, is being used as paying agent.
In addition, United Kingdom consultants working with the Palestinian authorities monitor payments and check that the correct amounts are paid to the police officers.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give a progress report on the use of British aid to help the Palestinians on the West Bank and in Gaza.
§ Mr. BaldryWe have pledged £75 million in aid for the Palestinians and in support of the peace process, for the three years 1994–95 to 1996–97. Most of this will be channelled through the programmes of the European Community. The EC has fully committed its programme for this year. Some of our aid will go through the United Nations relief and works agency, to which we have provided £6 million this year.
Our bilateral programme has spent £3.5 million so far this financial year. The projects include support for the police, the water sector and health care.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the international donors' meeting in Paris between 6 and 9 September at which the disbursement of aid to the Palestinian national authority was discussed.
§ Mr. BaldryThe international donors' meeting in Paris between 6 and 9 September was postponed due to bilateral political issues. No new date for such a meeting has been set.