HL Deb 18 February 1997 vol 578 cc40-1WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they last discussed with the Government of Israel the question of access to tertiary education in the West Bank for some 1,200 students from Gaza, and with what result.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

Ministers have regularly pressed the Israeli authorities to facilitate safe passage for Palestinians between Gaza and the West Bank; I did so when I was in Jerusalem on 23 January. The EU Special Envoy to the Peace Process, Miguel Moratinos, has started a constructive dialogue with the Israeli authorities on the subject. Joint Israeli-Palestinian committees will convene later this month to discuss safe passage and other outstanding elements of the Interim Agreement.