Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what safeguards they have put in place to ensure that no UK funds go directly or indirectly through the Palestinian Authority's so called "Martyrs Fund" to the those responsible for murdering Lucy Dee, Maia Dee and Rina Dee in April.

The Government was appalled by the horrific murder of Lucy, Maia, and Rina Dee in a terrorist attack earlier this year. I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon] and the Foreign Secretary also passed on their condolences to Rabbi Leo Dee when they met him in person in June. Our thoughts continue to be with Rabbi Dee and his family in the wake of this tragedy. Following Official Development Assistance (ODA) prioritisation exercises undertaken in March 2021, the UK no longer provides direct financial aid to the Palestinian Authority. All UK support to the Palestinian Authority is provided through technical advice, procured through commercial suppliers. No UK aid is used for payments to Palestinian prisoners, or their families or the Martyrs Fund, nor has it ever been. We continue to deliver a clear and long-standing message to the highest levels of the Palestinian Authority that the prisoner payments system should be reformed so that it is needs based, transparent and affordable. Officials maintain a regular dialogue with international partners on this issue.