HC Deb 17 June 1982 vol 25 cc333-4W
Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimates of civilians killed and wounded as a result of the Israeli invasion of the Lebanon have so far been presented to the United Nations Security Council.

Mr. Hurd

No figures for civilian casualties in Lebanon have yet been presented to the Security Council, but preliminary United Nations estimates are that in Southern Lebanon alone 2,000 people have been killed, 10,000 injured and 200,000 displaced from their homes.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what report has been made to the appropriate agencies of the United Nations on the extent of damage to homes and property caused by the Israeli invasion of the Lebanon.

Mr. Hurd

No such report has yet been made.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any initiative is being taken by the United Kingdom to relieve civilian suffering caused by the Israeli invasion of the Lebanon; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hurd

The Government are providing initial emergency aid worth £50,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Lebanese Red Cross for victims of the conflict in Lebanon. We are consulting the agencies concerned about providing further aid. The Government are also contributing to humanitarian aid worth 200,000 ECUs—approximately £115,000—being provided by the European Community to the ICRC.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about casualties among United Nations troops in the Lebanon as a result of the Israeli invasion.

Mr. Hurd

The United Nations Secretary-General has reported that one member of the Norwegian battalion of UNIFIL was killed during the Israeli invasion.

Mr. David Young

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in view of the disregard for United Nations resolutions and international law of the Israeli invasion of the Lebanon, Her Majesty's Government intend to apply sanctions against Israel; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hurd

In their statement of 9 June the Foreign Ministers of the Ten undertook to examine possibilities for future action should Israel refuse to withdraw its forces from Lebanon in accordance with Security Council resolution 509. Signature of the 2nd EC/Israel financial protocol has been postponed. Consultations among the Ten have continued and we axe also considering the United Kingdom's position.