HL Deb 22 May 1989 vol 508 cc7-8

2.53 p.m.

Viscount Buckmaster asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they propose any new humanitarian initiatives in the Lebanon or elsewhere in the Middle East.

Baroness Hooper

No, my Lords. We shall continue to work for peaceful and durable solutions to regional disputes in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, and to play our part, both bilaterally and through international organisations, in helping to relieve the suffering of those involved in the conflicts in the region.

Viscount Buckmaster

My Lords, while thanking the noble Baroness for that Answer, may I put to her—

Noble Lords

No! You can ask her.

Viscount Buckmaster

My Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness whether Her Majesty's Government have considered the possibility of calling for medical volunteers to go out to that area, of the calibre of Dr. Cutting who did such marvellous work in 1981 and 1982?

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, the circumstances on the ground make the provision of direct aid difficult. That is why first of all we have called on all parties to agree to a negotiated ceasefire. Then we shall know exactly what work needs to be done and can work with our partners to relieve the suffering. We all acknowledge the devoted work of Dr. Cutting and others who, in similar difficult circumstances, do their best to help the people who are suffering as a result of the conflict.

Baroness Ewart-Biggs

My Lords, is the Minister aware of the US State Department's annual report, issued in February of this year, which says that the number of Palestinians imprisoned rose from 4,700 in December 1987 to 10,000 in February of this year? In the light of the concern both in this House and in the country will the noble Baroness say that the Government will lose no opportunity to bring this concern to the notice of the Israeli Government?

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, the Government have already brought this to the notice of the Israeli Government and will continue to take such steps as they feel are necessary.

Lord Kilbracken

My Lords, can the noble Baroness confirm that the sufferings of the Kurdish people, especially in Iraq and Turkey, are among those to which the Government are giving particular attention?

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, I believe that that is wide of the Question on the Order Paper. No, I am sorry; the second Question on this subject does say "elsewhere in the Middle East". I was going to add in any event that those particular problems are very much within the remit of the Foreign Office and of my right honourable friend the Prime Minister.