To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the assistance the Government is providing for the reform of the Palestinian authority. [104483]

Institutional development, and capacity building, are key elements of DFID's programme of support to the Palestinian authority. We have worked with a number of ministries to help develop systems and skills which enable services to be better delivered. We have recently played a leading role in helping the Palestinian authority develop a comprehensive strategy for overall public administration and civil service reform. We are now discussing with them the detail of a further package of technical assistance which would support its implementation over the next three years. In addition we are providing legal advice and financial support for the development of a constitution for the nascent Palestinian state.