Gaza and Hamas
Debate between Baroness Primarolo and Baroness Chapman of Darlington
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
It is a very important issue. As I am sure the noble Baroness knows, the olive harvest is a particularly dangerous time. I visited the West Bank a few months ago and was able to meet with families who have been displaced many times and forced to rebuild their homes because of settler violence. We deplore this and we have taken steps, including sanctions against some of those who are responsible. As she would wish, we make representations about this at every opportunity.
Baroness Primarolo (Lab)
My Lords, notwithstanding the fragility of the ceasefire and every effort the Government are making to support it, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are starving now. What more can the Government do to open up the access routes the Minister has referred to, in order to get more aid in and therefore have a more equitable distribution in Gaza?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
The noble Baroness is completely right. We have spent almost £100 million already this year on aid for Gaza. The serious frustration we have is our inability to get that aid where it is needed. The Israeli Government control this, and we use every lever we have, alongside our partners. There has been some progress, but clearly not nearly enough. We are hopeful that we will see a change in this very shortly.
Finance (No. 3) Bill
Debate between Baroness Primarolo and Baroness Chapman of Darlington(14 years, 4 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo)
Order. This is supposed to be an intervention, not a speech. I call Jenny Chapman.
Mrs Chapman
I am unclear as to the point that was being made, but I recommend that the hon. Lady follows my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow on Twitter, as she might therefore become more familiar with my hon. Friend’s efforts to secure meetings with senior officials at Wonga and might also understand the frustration felt by Labour Members. It is frustration not only with the high-cost lenders, but with the Government too. Five months ago, the Backbench Business Committee initiated a positive debate on this issue, but there has been no movement since then—no announcements and no indication that something is in the pipeline. That fosters a great deal of frustration and a lack of trust among Opposition Members.