§ Mr. Ernie RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in the middle east peace process.
§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the peace process in the middle east.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe fully support the middle east peace process and welcome the peace treaty between Israel and Jordan, recent signs of progress on the Syrian track and continuing negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of the likely impact of the closure of the Gaza strip and the west bank on the middle east peace process; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggClosure of the Gaza strip and west bank has a serious effect on the economy of the occupied territories. It is estimated that more than 60,000 Palestinians go to work in Israel from the occupied territories, and that about one third of the gross product of the territories comes from the wages of Palestinians working in Israel. We are pleased to hear that the closure was being lifted gradually from 1 November.