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1139656

registered interest
date	17/07/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Palestinians: Overseas Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What steps he is taking to ensure that UK aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories facilitates peacebuilding with Israel.
tabling member constituency	Henley
tabling member printed	John Howell
uin	912000
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2019 answer text <p>DFID’s people-to-people programme builds support for peace by bringing together Palestinians and Israelis to promote tolerance and work on shared problems.</p><p>So far, over 1,200 young Israelis and Palestinians have taken part in holy site tours aimed at increasing understanding of religious tolerance. Ultimately the only way to achieve peace is through a negotiated two-state solution.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 17/07/2019 15:55:13 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1606 label Biography information for John Howell

1128375

registered interest
date	22/05/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Palestinians: Overseas Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps he is taking to ensure that Official Development Assistance provided to the Palestinian Authority does not end up funding terrorist activities.
tabling member constituency	Shrewsbury and Atcham
tabling member printed	Daniel Kawczynski
uin	257489
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/06/2019 answer text <p>DFID has robust measures in place to ensure UK Aid reaches its intended beneficiaries. UK aid to the Palestinian Authority’s (PA’s) health and education sectors is channelled through the EU Palestinian-European Socio-Economic Management Assistance Mechanism (PEGASE). Our money goes into a special, dedicated bank account before being paid to individuals who have been vetted in advance. The bank account is only used for UK aid. Independent auditors check that the money paid out from the special bank account only went to the vetted individuals after every disbursement.</p><p> </p><p>UK’s financial aid to support the PA’s water and energy sectors will be channelled through The World Bank Partnership for Infrastructure Development in the West Bank and Gaza Multi Donor Trust Fund. UK aid will flow from the trust fund to dedicated accounts that will be managed by the PA in accordance with rules established by the World Bank, and be subject to the review of external financial auditors to provide assurance that the expenditure of funds was only on agreed programme activities.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 07/06/2019 12:38:39 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1566 label Biography information for Daniel Kawczynski

1109760

registered interest
date	04/04/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Palestinians: Overseas Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to her Department's Memorandum of Understanding with the Palestinian Authority (PA), what discussions her Department has had with the PA on the naming of a PA Ministry of Education sports festival at the Beitunia Upper Elementary School for Girls after terrorist Dalal Mughrabi.
tabling member constituency	Enfield North
tabling member printed	Joan Ryan
uin	240936
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2019 answer text <p>The UK strongly condemns any language or actions that could stir up hatred and prejudice. Our support to the Palestinian Authority (PA) is underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding which requires the PA to commit to adhere to the principle of non-violence and to tackle language and avoid actions that could incite violence or hatred. We have held meetings with the PA that will inform the 2019 assessment, which we are currently finalising. The UK regularly raises allegations of incitement in the education sector in our conversations with the PA, and had a detailed discussion on this topic as recently as 21 March 2019.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 09/04/2019 09:44:46 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	166 label Biography information for Joan Ryan

1109769

registered interest
date	04/04/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Palestinians: Overseas Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what proportion of the UK’s aid spending on the Occupied Palestinian Territories is allocated directly to local NGOs.
tabling member constituency	Liverpool, West Derby
tabling member printed	Stephen Twigg
uin	240940
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2019 answer text <p>DFID in the Occupied Palestinian Territories does not provide any direct funding to local NGOs. DFID works through a limited number of partners in the OPTs such as the UN, the World Bank, the ICRC and the European Union. We select our partners for the strong safeguards they have in place, which reduces delivery risks and ensures the maximum impact of UK aid for Palestinians. However, some of our international NGO and multilateral partners do work with local NGOs to achieve the best development outcomes, with a strong focus on appropriate safeguards and ensuring value for money for the UK taxpayer. DFID implements a robust monitoring and evaluation system to ensure that UK aid reaches the intended beneficiaries.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 09/04/2019 09:45:15 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	167 label Biography information for Stephen Twigg

1082171

registered interest
date	05/03/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Palestinians: Overseas Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether the salaries of Palestinian Authority (PA) employees paid by her Department will be reduced as a result of the the announcement by the PA Minister of Finance that the salaries of public employees will be partial following the ending of US support to the PA.
tabling member constituency	Enfield North
tabling member printed	Joan Ryan
uin	228548
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/03/2019 answer text <p>The UK is concerned about the effects of US and Israeli cuts to the PA’s budget on both the PA’s ability to deliver essential services to Palestinians and on the prospects for peace and stability in the region. The Palestinian Ministry of Finance and Planning has not published details of the planned reductions in wages announced last month. DFID officials will engage with the PA to assess the implications for PEGASE beneficiaries. The UK continues to support a stable PA which can act as an effective partner for peace with Israel through financial assistance to the health and education sectors to exclusively support the salaries of vetted public servants in the West Bank.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 11/03/2019 17:36:28 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	166 label Biography information for Joan Ryan

1052497

registered interest
date	01/02/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Palestinians: Overseas Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how her Department monitors the use of aid that it provides to the Palestinian Authority.
tabling member constituency	Central Ayrshire
tabling member printed	Dr Philippa Whitford
uin	215590
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2019 answer text <p>Direct UK financial aid to the Palestinian Authority is channelled through the EU Palestinian-European Socio-Economic Management Assistance Mechanism (PEGASE). Our money goes into a special, dedicated bank account before being paid to vetted health and education public servants in the West Bank. The bank account is only used for UK aid. Independent auditors check that the money paid out from the special bank account only went to the vetted individuals after every disbursement. Audits also include spot checks and field visits.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>DFID will also help the Palestinian water and electricity authorities to increase sustainable supplies, particularly in Gaza. Through The World Bank Partnership for Infrastructure Development in the West Bank and Gaza Multi Donor Trust Fund, UK aid will flow from the trust fund to dedicated accounts that will be managed in accordance with robust rules established by the World Bank. DFID will monitor this support through independent financial audits of project spending and through regular programme updates provided by the World Bank.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>DFID funding to the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) is subject to the rigorous controls that are applied to all UK aid, including annual reviews, evaluation reports, and independent financial audits of programme spending. This information is triangulated with reporting from suppliers and programme partners, and through field visits.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 06/02/2019 17:36:27 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4385 label Biography information for Dr Philippa Whitford

1052498

registered interest
date	01/02/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Palestinians: Overseas Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what information her Department holds on the uses of aid funding her Department has provided to Palestine.
tabling member constituency	Central Ayrshire
tabling member printed	Dr Philippa Whitford
uin	215591
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2019 answer text <p>UK aid in the OPTs supports the protection of the most vulnerable, economic growth and job creation, and the delivery of essential services. DFID have also provided a rapid and flexible response to emerging humanitarian crises in the OPTs. Our support to the International Committee of the Red Cross has provided emergency health care assistance to aid Gaza’s burdened health system. DFID’s support to UNICEF has helped address critical water and sanitation needs for 2 million Gazans.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>DFID funding to the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) is subject to the rigorous controls that are applied to all UK aid, including annual reviews, evaluation reports, and independent financial audits of programme spending. This information is triangulated with reporting from suppliers and programme partners, and through field visits. DFID implements a robust monitoring and evaluation system to ensure that UK aid reaches the intended beneficiaries and achieves the best development outcomes, with a strong focus on ensuring value for money for the UK taxpayer. Information relating to monitoring and evaluation processes in the OPTs is stored in accordance with DFID guidelines.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 06/02/2019 17:38:38 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4385 label Biography information for Dr Philippa Whitford

1046775

registered interest
date	23/01/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Palestinians: Overseas Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the business case for her Department's Programme 300667 entitled Supporting Economic Empowerment and Development in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the statement by PwC that it was not required to consider whether funds had been transferred to persons implicated in terrorism, whether she plans to alter the terms of engagement for the auditors of this programme.
tabling member constituency	Enfield North
tabling member printed	Joan Ryan
uin	211626
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2019 answer text <p>The UK has a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and robust controls against the diversion of aid to ensure that funds are used only for their intended purpose. These include due diligence assessments of our partners, mapping of funds through the delivery chain, regular programme monitoring and annual audits.</p><p> </p><p>DFID’s programme <em>Supporting Economic Empowerment and Development in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (SEED OPTs)</em> has several components, working on trade facilitation and customs, water and energy, and helping the PA and Israel to abide by their obligations under the Paris Protocol. Work with the Palestinian Authority in the water and energy sectors will be channelled through The World Bank Partnership for Infrastructure Development in the West Bank and Gaza Multi Donor Trust Fund. Through this framework, funds will flow from the trust fund to dedicated accounts that will be managed by the PA in accordance with rules established by the World Bank.</p><p> </p><p>Alongside a range of other safeguards, all components will be subject to financial audits. The terms of reference of the audits will vary depending on the component, however all independent financial audits provide assurance to DFID that the expenditure of funds will only be on agreed programme activities. The overall DFID OPTs portfolio is also subject to the regular audit cycle of DFID’s Internal Audit Department and the National Audit Office.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 28/01/2019 17:39:42 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	166 label Biography information for Joan Ryan

1027583

registered interest
date	18/12/2018
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Palestinians: Overseas Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 13 December 2018 to Question 200567, if she will place in the Library copies of (a) the separate annual MoUs signed by her Department and the Palestinian Authority since March 2016 and (b) copies of all ministerial correspondence with the Palestinian Authority on those agreements.
tabling member constituency	Dudley North
tabling member printed	Ian Austin
uin	203258
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2019 answer text <p>Copies of correspondence relating to the extension of that MoU prior to March 2016 have already been laid in the Commons library. Since then there has been no further written ministerial correspondence with the PA on this matter. I will place copies of the annual MoUs from March 2016 to May 2018 in the Commons library, with redactions relating to personal and commercial information.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 07/01/2019 17:02:35 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	1511 label Biography information for Lord Austin of Dudley

1027290

registered interest
date	17/12/2018
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Palestinians: Overseas Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what sums her Department has disbursed in aid to the Palestinian Authority in each of the last five years.
tabling member constituency	East Antrim
tabling member printed	Sammy Wilson
uin	202743
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/12/2018 answer text <p>Figures for UK overseas aid spending are published annually in the ‘Statistics for International Development’ reports (SIDs), and are reported by calendar year. A summary of financial support to the Palestinian Authority (PA) in each of the last five years is provided below. Figures for 2018 have not yet been published. Further detail can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-on-international-development" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-on-international-development</a></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2013</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2014</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2015</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2016</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2017</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Amount in £millions (to the nearest £million)</p></td><td><p>£42m</p></td><td><p>£34m</p></td><td><p>£25m</p></td><td><p>£0m</p></td><td><p>£45m</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><em>Source: Statistics for International Development</em></p><p>Note: The 2017 figure represents the combined total of two payments made in separate financial years, one before April 2017 (£25m) and the other after April 2017 (£20m).</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 21/12/2018 15:30:44 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	1593 label Biography information for Sammy Wilson