HC Deb 25 October 1995 vol 264 cc1009-10
10. Mr. Cyril D. Townsend

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's contribution to the middle east peace process. [36861]

Mr. Hanley

We are a major donor to the Palestinian people, providing £83 million over three years. As my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary said earlier, Britain will be making a substantial contribution to the EU-organised observation of the Palestinian elections.

Mr. Townsend

During my right hon. Friend's visit to the middle east, and that of my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary, will they be raising the plight of the dispersed Palestinians who are not on the west bank but in other countries in the region? Is it not wholly unsatisfactory that the future of those Palestinians should depend on talks between the PLO and the Israeli Government? Will my right hon. Friend make it clear that he recognises the Government's responsibility, as a member of the United Nations, to look after displaced people wherever they may be?

Mr. Hanley

I agree with my hon. Friend that that is an extremely important matter and I undertake to do what he asks.

Mr. Norman Hogg

When the Under-Secretary and the Foreign Secretary visit the middle east, they will presumably meet PLO representatives. Will the Minister tell us whom they will be meeting and where they will be meeting them?

Mr. Hanley

I am both pleased and sorry to correct the hon. Gentleman. Actually I am a Minister of State. Given the direction of my recent career, it may be only a matter of time before I am an Under-Secretary.

My right hon. and learned Friend and I will both be making visits to the region in the near future. I can assure him that we shall be meeting as many of the relevant people as possible to make progress in this most important matter.