Middle East: Refugees

Lord Eden of Winton Excerpts

Wednesday 3rd November 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Wallace of Saltaire]

My Lords, I think that it is recognised on all sides that not all Palestinian refugees will return home. That is part of the necessary compromise that will have to be in a comprehensive settlement. We all understand also that reaching a compromise will be very difficult, and that we will need to address the issues of compensation and of a moral acknowledgement by Israel of the suffering endured by Palestinian refugees.

[Lord Eden of Winton]

My Lords, in attempting to deal with the problem of refugees, comprehensively or otherwise, might it not be helpful if action were encouraged to prevent the creation of new refugees? I have in mind particularly the persecution of Christians in Iraq and in Iran.

[Lord Wallace of Saltaire]

My Lords, we have a Question on that tomorrow, and it is probably more sensible to leave discussion until then.