Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Palestinian Investment Fund, Consolidated Contractors Company and the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company on the development of off-shore gas near Gaza; and what plans they have to contribute UK (1) technical expertise, and (2) funding, to this endeavour.

This issue is being discussed with the parties at international level in the context of how to facilitate a sustainable and long-term solution to the energy crisis in Gaza.