§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the current level of financial assistance the Government are providing to the Palestinians. [63860]
§ Clare ShortDuring the last financial year (1997–98), the Department for International Development (DFID) invested £30 million in development cooperation with the Palestinians. This comprised £16 million through DFID' s direct programme in the West Bank and Gaza and contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees and £14 million in contributions to the EC's programmes for assistance for the Palestinians. DFID expects to spend a similar amount this financial year. In addition, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department of Trade and Industry provided some small scale assistance totalling just over £50,000.