§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Israeli Government about their failure to treat captured Palestinian fighters as prisoners of war under the Geneva convention of 1949.
§ Mr. LuceWe have tried to ensure that Palestinian prisoners held by the Israelis are treated humanely in accordance with the relevant Geneva conventions. To this end the Ten acted in support of the International Committee of the Red Cross by making representations to the Israeli Government in June 1982 and again in March 1983. We also made bilaterial representations to the Israeli authorities.
The hon. Member will be aware that, under an agreement reached between the Israelis and the Palestinians, large numbers of Palestininan prisoners were released by the Israelis on 24 November, in exchange for the release of six Israeli prisoners.