§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has made to the Israeli Government regarding water supplies to people living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. [161331]
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§ Hilary BennThe Government have frequently made representations to the Israeli authorities, both bilaterally and through the Europe in Union, about the destruction of water infrastructure and access to safe water supplies, including as a result of the building of the separation barrier.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the provision of clean water to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. [161330]
§ Hilary BennAbout a third of West Bank communities still depend on local springs and harvesting cisterns to get their water. It is often not suitable for drinking. Per capita, consumption is decreasing, from 95 cubic metres per year per capita in 1997 to 67 cubic metres per year peg capita in year 2000. Figures for subsequent years are not available but the impact of the intifada has increased problems with access to clean water for many families. DFID supports the Palestinian Water Authority in its analysis of available water resources. This includes a project to model the western aquifer and predict the sustainable yields.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the sources of water in the West Bank appropriated by Israel during the construction of the security fence. [161332]
§ Hilary BennThe security fence is causing severe problems in access to water for Palestinian civilians and farmers, which is damaging the Palestinian agricultural economy. Once the western section of the Wall is completed, it is estimated that the annual value of agricultural production in the West Bank will decrease by 22.8 per cent. In Qalqilya alone 15 of the city's 39 wells have been confiscated or isolated, representing over one-third of the city's water supply.
DFID supports the Palestinian Water Authority in its analysis of the shared Western Aquifer and the Palestinian Negotiations Support Unit in its preparatory work for final stat us negotiations on sharing water resources with Israel. This has helped Palestinian analysis of the water sources appropriated by the building of the barrier.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the work of the Parents' Circle in the West Bank and Gaza. [161489]
§ Hilary BennThe Parents' Circle provides support to bereaved Israelis and Palestinians who have lost family members as a result of the conflict. It plays an important campaigning and advocacy role, providing lectures for school children and disseminating information on the conflict to the wider general public. Civil society organisations like Parents' Circle can play a useful role in conflict situations by reducing tensions, bringing ordinary people together.