Oral Answers to Questions

John Howell Excerpts

Wednesday 3rd June 2015 Commons Chamber

[John Howell (Henley) (Con)]

4. What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of UK aid to the Palestinian Authority.

[The Minister of State, Department for International Development (Mr Desmond Swayne)]

Our support has enabled the Palestinian Authority to carry out state-building reforms in public financial administration and security. The international community has recognised that the PA is now ready for statehood.

[John Howell]

I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests.

Is the Minister aware of reports that the Palestinian Authority continues to pay convicted terrorists, and will he investigate whether UK payments are being used for that purpose?

[Mr Swayne]

I assure my hon. Friend that no UK payments are made for that purpose. Our support to the Palestinian Authority is paid through a World Bank-controlled trust fund to named civil servants and then independently audited.