Oral Answers to Questions

Marsha De Cordova Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd January 2019 Commons Chamber

[Alistair Burt]

No, the policy has not changed. The short answer is soon, of course.

[Marsha De Cordova (Battersea) (Lab)]

Soon?

[Alistair Burt]

Yes, soon. It seems the best possible word to use. The definition of quarter has obviously stretched a little bit too far, but it is important both to keep up the relationship with the House on this and to confirm progress in relation to Daesh across Syria and Iraq, which continues to be vital.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Hunt]

I am happy to do that. I thank my right hon. Friend the Minister and all the Foreign Office staff involved in that work.

[Marsha De Cordova (Battersea) (Lab)]

11. What steps he is taking to help ensure the long-term sustainability of UN aid to Palestinian refugees.

[The Minister for the Middle East (Alistair Burt)]

The UN Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, is a necessary humanitarian and stabilising presence in the region, providing vital services to millions of Palestinian refugees every day. We have increased our funding to UNRWA, providing £65.5 million in 2018.

[Marsha De Cordova]

On 9 January, the Minister said:

“Work is going on to ensure that, in the long term, UNRWA is sustainable.”—[Official Report, 9 January 2019; Vol. 652, c. 349.]

However, UNRWA is already closing health centres, and doubling and trebling shifts at schools to cut costs. If it closes down, what will happen to the 526,000 children in UNRWA schools and the 3.1 million patients of UNRWA health services? Can the Minister set out exactly what is going on?

[Alistair Burt]

We sought to increase our funding, as I mentioned to the hon. Lady, but we also talk to other donors. It is impossible for the United Kingdom to fill the gap created, but the point she makes is extremely pertinent: if the education of those in Gaza and children of Palestinian refugees stops, I wonder what organisation in the region would like to take over the education of impressionable youngsters.