HC Deb 28 March 1994 vol 240 c539W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in providing Palestinians with international protection in the occupied territories.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The United Kingdom co-sponsored United Nations Security Council resolution 904 which calls for measures to be taken to guarantee the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilians throughout the occupied territories, including a temporary foreign or international presence. The nature of such a presence is the subject of negotiations between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the degree of commitment of Israel and the PLO to early elections in the occupied territories.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Israel and the PLO are committed by the declaration of principles signed on 13 September 1993 to the goal of holding elections not later than nine months after the entry into force of the declaration. The declaration entered into force on 13 October 1993.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance he is giving to the establishment of a Palestinian police force in the occupied territories.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

We will train senior officers of the Palestinian police in the United Kingdom later this year. We are also providing full riot protection equipment for 200 members of the Palestinian police.