§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on UK development aid to the Palestinian Authority. [119361]
§ Clare ShortOur bilateral development assistance for the West Bank and the Gaza Strip is focused on co-operation with the Palestinian Authority to build a nation through support for the peace process (eg improving Palestinian administrative systems and analytical resources); institution and capacity building (eg improving health and education services); and empowering civil society (eg through non-government organisations working on gender and law issues). We currently spend some £8 million a year on the programme. In addition we contribute a similar sum to the United Nations Relief Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in support of its core activities and to assist in improving service delivery. Our share of European Community and other multilateral programmes for the Palestinians takes our average annual contribution to over £25 million.