Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tobias Ellwood and Michael Fabricant

Tuesday 28th October 2014 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

15. What recent assessment he has made of the security situation in southern Lebanon.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Tobias Ellwood)]

We regularly assess the security situation in southern Lebanon, as well as the rest of the country. We are concerned about the continued low-level violence, but commend the crucial role of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon—UNIFIL—in maintaining the peace and de-escalating conflict when it occurs.

[Michael Fabricant]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will know from his previous job that Iran provides funds and arms to insurgents who previously killed and maimed British soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq. Iran is now doing the same with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. What steps can we take to stop Iran being such a dangerous body in that part of the world?

[Mr Ellwood]

We are watching the situation carefully, but we currently judge that neither Israel nor Hezbollah wants to escalate the situation in southern Lebanon. Both sides have chosen to make public statements following recent incidents, and UNIFIL-led tripartite meetings involving the Lebanese armed forces, the Israeli defence force and the UN are arranged, and have successfully reduced tension and prevented escalation.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tobias Ellwood and Michael Fabricant

Monday 28th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) (Con)]

2. What steps his Department is taking to support people who want to start their own business.

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

19. What steps his Department is taking to support people who want to start their own business.

[The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Mr Mark Hoban)]

We believe that for many people self-employment is the best route out of unemployment. That is why we have introduced the new enterprise allowance and enterprise clubs, which have proved effective in helping people back into work.