To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East; and what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Palestinian and (b) Israeli authorities on that matter. (296501)

[holding answer 2 November 2009]: From my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister down, we work closely with the Israeli and Palestinian authorities, and our international partners, to promote efforts towards a comprehensive peace in the Middle East. Most recently, the Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu on 15 October, and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to Defence Minister Barak on 13 October and to Prime Minister Fayyad on 28 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the UK is giving to the Palestinian Authority to improve its policing and security systems; and if he will make a statement. (296623)

The UK provides considerable support for security sector reform in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Since March 2008, we have been funding a £1.16 million project to provide the Palestinian civilian police with information technology and communications equipment, and to help fund their criminal investigation training.

We also support the work of the US Security Co-ordinator General Dayton. This includes advice to the Palestinian Ministry of the Interior, and support to a Senior Leadership Course which trains future leaders of the Palestinian security sector.

A strong and reformed Palestinian security sector is central to the peace process and the establishment of a successful Palestinian state. The reforms undertaken by the Palestinian Authority have helped improve Israeli and US confidence in the capability of the Palestinian security forces, and delivered economic benefits for ordinary Palestinians. We will continue to work with the Palestinian Authority to build on these successes and further improve the security situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.