Oral Answers to Questions

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Tuesday 24th October 2023 Commons Chamber

[Chris Clarkson (Heywood and Middleton) (Con)]

2. What recent discussions he has had with the Government of Israel on the situation in Gaza.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

10. What recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Palestinian Authority on a two-state solution.

[Marsha De Cordova (Battersea) (Lab)]

12. What recent reports he has received on the situation in Israel and Palestine.

--- Later in debate ---

[James Cleverly]

I can reassure my hon. Friend that we always ensure that UK aid money is protected from misappropriation. I can confirm to him and the House that no British aid money goes directly to the Palestinian Authority. We have raised this issue with the Palestinian Authority and highlighted our belief that it is not conducive to good relations and a future two-state solution.

[Sir Desmond Swayne]

What are the prospects of a two-state solution, given the pace of Israeli settlements on the west bank?

[James Cleverly]

The Government’s long-standing position is that we oppose settlement expansion, for the reasons I have highlighted extensively in the conversations that I have had with the Israeli Government and the leadership of countries in the region. Despite the terrible circumstances we are experiencing, there is a renewed desire for a meaningful resolution that means that the terrible images that we saw on 7 October will never be repeated.