HL Deb 12 June 1990 vol 520 cc284-5WA
Lord Mayhew

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What replies they have received from the Israeli Government to any representations they have made regarding the closure of Palestinian universities; and whether they will cease to use public funds to support Israeli cultural festivals in this country.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

In answer to our frequent representations, the Israeli authorities have maintained that schools and universities in the Occupied Territories would re-open as soon as the security situation permitted. We much regret that the closure order for universities has recently been renewed, but welcome the fact that most schools are currently open. We do not propose to ban the public funding of Israeli cultural exhibitions in the UK, which is in any event minimal.