HL Deb 14 July 1982 vol 433 cc453-4WA
Lord Brockway

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What response has been made by the Israeli Government to the request unanimously endorsed by the United Nations Security Council that vital supplies, including water, food and medical provisions, should be admitted to blockaded West Beirut where 500,000 civilians, in addition to the 6,000 Palestinians, are in danger of hunger and medical neglect.

Lord Belstead

Her Majesty's Government voted for United Nations Security Council Resolution 513 which called for all parties to respect the civilian population. Following representations by ourselves, the Americans and others, the Israeli Government have partially restored water and electricity supplies to West Beirut. We believe that some medical supplies are entering West Beirut through the port crossing point which remains open to the International Committee of the Red Cross personnel. We continue to hope that the Israeli Government will do all they can to facilitate the access of relief supplies to West Beirut.