HL Deb 20 May 1988 vol 497 cc584-6

11.24 a.m.

Lord Mayhew asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are taking any measures to alleviate economic hardship in occupied Palestine, and whether they will take steps to ensure that producers in the West Bank and Gaza have as easy access to EC markets as producers in Israel.

Lord Belstead

Yes, my Lords. We give aid to the occupied territories through our bilateral programme, though the European Community and through our contributions to organisations such as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. In 1986 the European Community decided at the United Kingdom's instigation to grant Palestinian producers preferential access for industrial and agricultural produce. We have repeatedly urged the Israelis to allow implementation of these arrangements in line with a signed undertaking which they gave in December 1987.

Lord Mayhew

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord. Does he not agree that it is quite unacceptable that Israel should enjoy full access to EC markets while preventing producers in the West Bank and Gaza from having the same access? Will the Government strongly support the efforts of Commissioner Cheysson to end this thoroughly unsatisfactory situation?

Lord Belstead

My Lords, yes. Commissioner Cheysson is active in this matter, as the noble Lord says, and the United Kingdom certainly supports the activities of the commissioner.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, is the Minister aware that the British Government's attitude on this appalling problem has been very loyal to the principles of freedom and democracy? To a degree the Government have encouraged those who are living in parts of their own land which are now occupied. The British Government have every right to be proud of the views they have held. However, the time is coming when a little action must be taken. Would it not possibly be helpful if those who live in lands occupied by foreign powers were allowed to trade with Europe? All this might bring the possibility of some understanding towards increasing trade, alleviating suffering and ending the occupation.

Lord Belstead

My Lords, I do not think I can add to the Answer which I have just given to the noble Lord, Lord Mayhew.

Lord Bottomley

My Lords, will the Government consider asking the rich oil-producing Arab states in the Middle East to make a contribution towards easing the problem for the Palestinian refugees?

Lord Belstead

My Lords, although I quite understand why the noble Lord asks this question, negotiations on all these matters need at the first instance to be bilateral. Of course we are interested, particularly as a member of the European Community, but first and foremost bilateral negotiations are most important.

Lord Hatch of Lusby

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that just last month I was in Israel and was given incontrovertible proof that products from the occupied territories were being obstructed? In some cases the papers were being destroyed and the exports from the occupied territories to the EC were being deliberately blocked by, at the least, agents of the Israeli Government. Will the noble Lord look into this? It is a very real problem. I can give him concrete evidence of what is taking place now in the obstruction of the export of goods from the occupied territories to the EC.

Lord Belstead

My Lords, certainly there is no need, if I may say so, for the United Kingdom to look into it. The Community made a demarche to the Israelis on 31st March. As the noble Lord, Lord Mayhew, said in his supplementary question, there is continuing activity through Commissioner Cheysson. If we can unlock this problem the Community will certainly try to do so.