15. To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what impact the refusal of Hamas to recognise Israel and renounce terrorism will have on the Palestinian Country Assistance Plan. (96584)

The 2004 Palestinian Country Assistance Plan (CAP) sets out how we will work towards three outcomes:

prospects for peace enhanced;

more effective, accountable and inclusive Palestinian institutions;

humanitarian and development assistance delivered more effectively.

These objectives remain valid. However, following the Hamas-led Government’s failure to meet the Quartet principles, we cannot support the Palestinian Authority. Instead, we have had to find ways to get aid straight to the Palestinian people. DFID has produced an interim programme update setting out how we are working towards our CAP objectives in the current political environment. This is available at www.dfid.gov.uk I am also placing a copy in the House of Commons Library.