HC Deb 09 January 2002 vol 377 cc843-4W
Mrs. Spelman

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what proportion of her Department's(a) bilateral and (b) multilateral spending in the Palestinian territories goes towards furthering peace and security in the region; [25270]

(2) how much of her Department's (a) funds disbursed though the European Union and (b) bilateral aid budget go to the Palestinian territories. [25269]

Hilary Benn

In the current financial year we expect to spend about £14 million bilaterally to support development in the Palestinian territories. Our multilateral contributions comprise: £25 million in 2001 to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA); 5 per cent, of the World Bank's resources (about £13 million since 1994); and 17 per cent, (about £30 million in 2001) of the European Commission's development budget which includes our share of the EC contribution to UNRWA. All these efforts are designed to contribute towards peace and security in the region by helping to build capacity in the Palestinian Authority, and meeting the basic needs of the local people.

Mrs. Spelman

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the(a) charities and (b) NGOs she funds which work in the Palestinian territories. [25268]

Hilary Benn

It is not possible to distinguish precisely between NGOs and charities. We currently fund development projects with the following organisations:

  • Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees
  • Medical Aid for Palestinians
  • Save the Children Fund
  • Gaza Community Mental Health
  • Oxfam
  • Palestinian Hydrology Group
  • Healthlink Worldwide
  • Tamer Institute for Community Education
  • Teacher Creativity Centre
  • Islamic Relief
  • World University Service
  • Middle East Non Violence and Democracy
  • World Vision
  • Multipurpose Resource Centre
  • Near East Foundation
  • Palestinian Agriculture Relief Committees
  • Islah Charitable Organisation
  • Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation
  • Ard El Insan Organisation
  • Palestine Red Crescent Society
  • National Foundation for Investment and Development
  • Sunbula Organisation
  • National Society for the Visually Handicapped
  • Family Defence Society
  • Palestinian Law Society.