§ Mr. Stephen TwiggTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action she has taken to prevent corrupt use of EU and British aid to the Palestinian Authority. [68715]
§ Mr. FoulkesThe UK and the European Commission rarely provide direct financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority. In cases where assistance has been so provided, special payment and accounting mechanisms have been incorporated to ensure that funds have been properly spent. UK aid to the Palestinians is largely in the form of technical co-operation and support to non-government organisations, who are major deliverers of services in the West Bank and Gaza. EC and UK projects and programmes are regularly monitored, including site visits, to ensure that funds are used for agreed purposes.
Donors have repeatedly made it clear to the Palestinian Authority their concern about financial management and the importance of transparency.