HL Deb 26 April 1996 vol 571 c118WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Secretary of State for Defence was speaking for the British Government when he said, after military briefing in Israel on the attack on Lebanon code name "Grapes of Wrath" that "I would not describe the Israeli reaction as disproportionate" (The Times, 16th April).

Earl Howe

My right honourable friend made it clear that Her Majesty's Government looked to the Israelis to make their responses measured and proportionate. He also said that the problems would not be solved militarily, and that we look for a diplomatic solution and a return to the peace process.