13. To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Government aid to Palestinians. (244097)

All UK development aid is carefully monitored for effectiveness. The World Bank confirms that our support to the Palestinian Authority has helped it deliver essential services to the Palestinian people. Our funding to the United Nations Refugee and Works Agency supports health, education and other services for over 4 million Palestinian refugees, including in Gaza, where aid agencies operate within severe Israeli controls. Palestinians and the Israeli authorities are increasingly confident in the Palestinian security forces, which we are helping to reform. Our support to private sector development has helped to secure $725 million worth of investment deals for Palestinian businesses.

14. To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Government aid to Palestinians; and if he will make a statement. (244098)

All UK development aid is carefully monitored for effectiveness. The World Bank confirms that our support to the Palestinian Authority has helped it deliver essential services to the Palestinian people. Our funding to the United Nations Refugee and Works Agency supports health, education and other services for over 4 million Palestinian refugees, including in Gaza, where aid agencies operate within severe Israeli controls. Palestinians and the Israeli authorities are increasingly confident in the Palestinian security forces, which we are helping to reform. Our support to private sector development has helped to secure $725 million worth of investment deals for Palestinian businesses.