Oral Answers to Questions

Richard Foord Excerpts
Thursday 22nd May 2025

(1 day, 20 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Marsha De Cordova Portrait Marsha De Cordova
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I thank the Father of the House for his question. He makes a truly important point: everybody should have the freedom to worship and nobody should be allowed to prevent that with impunity. As he rightly says, it is up to us—the Church of England, the Catholic Church and all people of faith—to use our voices for the voiceless. People should not be prevented from worshipping.

Richard Foord Portrait Richard Foord (Honiton and Sidmouth) (LD)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

Open Doors reported earlier this year that about three quarters of houses belonging to Christians in Gaza have been damaged or totally destroyed. Given that that is true for people of all faiths in Gaza, does the hon. Lady accept that it is incumbent on the Church, the Government and all of us to support them?

Marsha De Cordova Portrait Marsha De Cordova
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

The hon. Member raises another crucial point. This is not just for the Church; everybody has a responsibility to support the efforts to bring about a ceasefire and peace in the region and to allow aid in unimpeded. As we all know, aid has been prevented from getting into Gaza. We need it to be allowed in.