To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial and logistical resources the European Union is providing to the Quartet's special envoy Mr. Blair; what (a) salary, (b) expenses provision and (c) support staff will be available to him; what share of the costs the United Kingdom is contributing; and if he will make a statement. (162876)

Mr. Blair is not paid a salary in his role as Quartet Representative. The UK has provided £400,000 to a United Nations Development Programme Trust Fund which provides operational and technical support to Mr. Blair's office in Jerusalem. The UK has also seconded four staff to his team. Other international donors are also supporting his work.

We strongly support the work of Mr. Blair. He is well placed to drive forward Palestinian capacity building, which is a clear priority.