HC Deb 19 November 2003 vol 413 cc1055-6W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Israeli Government on the destruction of(a) wells and (b) other infrastructure in Gaza by the Israeli army. [137431]

Mr. Rammell

We deplore the destruction of Palestinian infrastructure and we have asked Israel to cease such activity. We have not recently raised the destruction of wells in Gaza. Nonetheless, my noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean called in Israel's ambassador. Mr. Zvi Shtauber. on 22 October to raise our serious concerns about recent Israeli actions in Gaza. Our embassy in Tel Aviv has also raised our concerns with its Israeli interlocutors.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the exchange of Israeli and Palestinian/Lebanese prisoners. [139052]

Mr. Rammell

We are pleased to hear that the Israeli Cabinet has approved a deal on the exchange of Israeli, Palestinian and Lebanese prisoners. We hope that Hizbollah will follow suit, and that this matter is resolved soon.