Written question asked by David Atkinson (Conservative) on Wednesday, 2 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 March 2005. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 March 2005 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will make a statement on the proposed Middle East donors conference in June; and whether he plans to establish an international fund under the aegis of the UN to finance the cost of resettlement and compensation for Palestinian refugees, as proposed by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Resolution 1156 [1998].

Answer: At the March 1 London Meeting on Supporting the Palestinian Authority (PA), the international community committed to holding a Consultative Group of international donors by the end of June. The UK looks forward to participating fully and pledging further support to the PA. As the prospects increase for a return to the Roadmap and a move towards final status negotiations, the international community will need to look afresh at plans to meet the costs of resettlement and compensation for refugees. A review of Resolution 1156 may be a good starting point.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 431 c1804W;431 c1799-800W; 220354
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Compensation International assistance Refugees Israel Palestine Middle East Peace negotiations Occupied territories Conferences Resettlement
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk