§ Mr. SwireTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the allegations that foreign aid to the Palestinian Authority from the EU has been diverted to the Al-Aqsa brigade. [155043]
§ Hilary BennThe European Union takes such allegations extremely seriously, and has responded by in investigating the matter. The Commission, on the basis of the material it has examined, has not found any evidence of European funds being used for terrorism or other purposes other than those agreed with the Palestinian Authority. A comprehensive report on the matter, by the EU's Anti Fraud Office, is due to be published shortly.