§ Q7. Mr. Michael Connarty (Falkirk, East)Is the Prime Minister aware that many people—I would say the majority of the British people—believe that his efforts and those of his Government on foreign and defence policy since 11 September are exemplary? May I seek an assurance from him that he and his Government will not lose sight of the fact that the treatment of the Palestinian people by Israel is perceived to lie at the heart of the problems of the Islamic world? Will he do everything in 291 his power to ensure a peaceful and equitable solution to the problems in the middle east, based on United Nations resolutions?
§ The Prime MinisterWe will certainly do what we can to assist the parties to make progress in the middle east. As I have said many times before, that must be based on two very secure principles. The first is a 100 per cent. effort by the Palestinian Authority to crack down on the violence and terrorism that are causing such destruction and misery in Israel, and—in my view—a guarantee from the Arab world about the security of the state of Israel. The second is a proper, viable Palestinian state in which Palestinians and Israelis can live side by side in justice together. We will certainly do all that we can to make progress on this issue.
§ Q8. Mr. Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon)Many hundreds of my constituents working at Huntingdon Life Sciences, its shareholders and funders are being subjected to a massive campaign of intimidation from animal rights terrorists. Like other terrorists, they organise internationally and use extreme violence to further their views. Does the worldwide international fight against terrorism extend to Huntingdon and what does the Prime Minister intend to do to stop the violence against my constituents?
§ The Prime MinisterFirst, let me say to the hon. Gentleman that the violence against his constituents and 292 against Huntingdon Life Sciences is totally and utterly beyond the pale. It is totally wrong. Those are criminal acts. For that very reason, we are tightening the law to ensure that we deal with these people in a more satisfactory and quicker way. Through the hon. Gentleman, I want to say to his constituents and to Huntingdon Life Sciences that one of the proud traditions of this country is that of scientific inquiry. People are perfectly entitled to their strong views on animal welfare, but it would be deeply regrettable if we lost any part of scientific endeavour in this country. The hon. Gentleman's constituents and that company will have our full support in making sure that the actions of these people do not succeed.
§ Mr. Crispin Blunt (Reigate)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. The Prime Minister has just told the House that the cost of the Saville inquiry is £52 million. As he ought to know—the House has already been furnished with written answers—that is only the cost to the Northern Ireland Office. The cost is already more than £14.5 million to the Ministry of Defence and the estimate of costs to the Northern Ireland Office is £100 million. That does not include costs to other Departments such as that which pays Lord Saville's salary. What opportunity is there for the Prime Minister to return to the House to correct the record?
§ Mr. SpeakerWhy does not the hon. Gentleman try next Wednesday?