HL Deb 30 April 1998 vol 589 cc38-9WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Prime Minister made any proposal to Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Arafat about the use of administrative detention and torture in their jurisdictions, during his visit of 19–20 April; and whether these matters are included in the agenda for the London talks on 4 May. [HL1572]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The Prime Minister did not raise these issues on his recent visit to the Middle East. But they are regularly raised with both the Israeli Government and the Palestinian authorities during the course of our bilateral contacts. The purpose of the meetings in London on 4 May is to take forward proposals for next steps in the peace process, not to discuss administrative detention and torture.