Oral Answers to Questions

Will Quince Excerpts

Monday 25th March 2024 Commons Chamber

[David Simmonds (Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner) (Con)]

10. What steps his Department is taking to assist in the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

[Will Quince (Colchester) (Con)]

18. What steps his Department is taking to assist in the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

[Judith Cummins (Bradford South) (Lab)]

19. What steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to increase the number of aid shipments to the middle east.

--- Later in debate ---

[Grant Shapps]

That is one of the greatest challenges in the current situation. We are working with the British Red Cross, UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme, the Egyptian Red Crescent and others to ensure that aid gets to the right places. That is extremely challenging, and has slowed down aid delivery.

[Will Quince]

The Israeli Government have said that they want to “flood” Gaza with aid. Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that we will work with our partners globally to get more aid into the hands of civilians in Gaza, and will assist the Israelis to deliver on that pledge as soon as possible?

[Grant Shapps]

I inform my hon. Friend that we have already delivered 74 tonnes of humanitarian aid via the RAF, and 87 tonnes through the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. In addition, we are pursuing land, air and maritime routes.