Asked by: David Lammy (Labour - Tottenham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent discussions he has had with his (a) international counterparts and (b) Cabinet colleagues to support the release of British hostages in Gaza.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government's thoughts are with those families who are facing unimaginable uncertainty and fear because of these despicable attacks and kidnappings. We are not commenting on specific numbers or individual cases. The safety of all British nationals continues to be our utmost priority and we continue to do everything we can to secure the release of all hostages, including working with Israeli counterparts and international partners at the highest levels.
Asked by: Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of creating a Minister for hostage affairs to help support families of (a) British and (b) dual nationals.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As Minister for consular policy I review all complex cases, including hostage and arbitrary detention for diplomatic leverage cases, with consular officials on a regular basis. When necessary, decisions on individual cases are made by the relevant geographical Minister who understands the region and has a relationship with their counterpart. They are supported in this by our Ambassadors and senior officials who hold the necessary geographic and thematic expertise alongside our consular team. At all times the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs holds ultimate responsibility. We also work closely with other Departments and agencies who also have relevant expertise.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps his Department is taking with international counterparts to encourage the safe release by Hamas of all hostages.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government's thoughts are with those families who are facing unimaginable uncertainty and fear because of these despicable attacks and kidnappings and the safety of all British nationals continues to be our utmost priority. We are using all the tools available to us to secure the release of hostages and intensive international negotiations are ongoing. We continue to call for humanitarian pauses that allow enough time for hostages to be released and we will continue to work closely with our United Nations Security Council partners following the passing of the resolution on 15 November which delivered on the UK's priorities, including the release of hostages. The Prime Minister has also met several families of those believed to have been taken hostage, both in Israel and in the UK, and we are assisting the families of several individuals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Asked by: Emma Hardy (Labour - Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to support the Red Cross to gain access to the hostages taken by Hamas since 7 October 2023.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We continue to do everything we can to secure the release of all hostages, this includes working with all relevant actors to support release. We are not commenting on individual cases.
Asked by: Dan Carden (Labour - Liverpool, Walton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help secure the safe release of hostages in Gaza.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government's thoughts are with those families who are facing unimaginable uncertainty and fear because of Hamas' despicable attacks and kidnappings. This is a fast-moving situation and we do not comment on individual cases. The safety of all British nationals continues to be our utmost priority and we continue to do everything we can to secure the release of hostages, including working with Israeli counterparts and international partners to ensure British nationals in Gaza can leave safely.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what consular support his Department is providing to (a) hostages held in Gaza and (b) their families.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government's thoughts are with those families who are facing unimaginable uncertainty and fear because of these despicable attacks and kidnappings. This is a fast-moving situation and we are not commenting on individual cases. The safety of all British nationals continues to be our utmost priority and we continue to do everything we can to secure the release of hostages, including working with Israeli counterparts and international partners to ensure British nationals in Gaza can leave safely. The Prime Minister has met several families of those believed to have been taken hostage, both in Israel and in the UK, and we are assisting the families of several individuals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Asked by: Lord Shinkwin (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, potentially including UK citizens.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Emma Hardy (Labour - Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the Red Cross in gaining access to the hostages taken by Hamas since 7 October 2023.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Emma Hardy (Labour - Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas since 7 October 2023.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what consular support his Department is providing to (a) hostages held in Gaza and (b) their families.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.