HC Deb 06 July 1988 vol 136 cc603-4W
29. Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about current relations with Israel.

Mr. Mellor

I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. and learned Friend's reply to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) on 4 May.

43. Mr. Marlow

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will devise with the United Kingdom's European partners a system of escalating measures against Israel until such time as that country enters into serious negotiations for Palestinian self-determination.

Mr. Mellor

No. We aim to help the parties work towards mutual compromise, not to coerce them into negotiations against their will. Only a negotiated settlement voluntarily entered into can hope to achieve stable peace.

45. Mr. Galloway

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received seeking the application of limited selective economic sanctions against Israel; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor

Economic sanctions would not help to bring about a solution to the problems of the region.

63. Mr. Ernie Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Israel about the abuse and denial of human rights in the occupied territories; and if he will make a statement.

67. Mr. Frank Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Israel in the light of the continuing killing and wounding of unarmed Palestinians by Israeli soldiers and settlers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor

We maintain our pressure on Israel to administer the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza in accordance with international law and human rights standards. The killing and wounding of Palestinians is one of the most serious areas of concern.

76. Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received urging Her Majesty's Government to ask the Government of Israel to investigate allegations about the use of high velocity dum-dum bullets as a method of crowd control in the occupied territories; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor

None.

84. Mr. Litherland

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Israel about the spraying of gas from aircraft into densely populated refugee camps; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor

None. We cannot confirm reports of such incidents.

Mr. Bowis

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Israel about the detention without trial of Palestinians from the occupied territories.

Mr. Mellor

We have made repeated representations to the Israeli Government both on the principle of detention without trial and in individual cases of particular concern.