Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Doughty and Sarah Dyke

Tuesday 27th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Stephen Doughty)]

I assure my hon. Friend that the UK’s commitment to international law does not depend on the outcome of elections. We have been clear that settlements are illegal under international law and that Israel must comply with its obligations. We have been clear that the occupation is unlawful.

[Sarah Dyke (Glastonbury and Somerton) (LD)]

Firms such as Thales in Templecombe, Needles and Pins Aerospace in Somerton and Leonardo in Yeovil are at the heart of a Somerset aerospace and advanced engineering sector, yet Britain remains outside the SAFE defence fund. Will the Minister commit to securing UK participation in SAFE and any successor fund on fair terms so that our defence firms and the communities that depend on them are not left behind?