§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions he has had with the Israeli authorities concerning the legality of the killing of Mr. Ian Hook; and if he will make a statement; [87110]
765W(2) what steps the Government have taken to establish the circumstances of the killing of Mr. Ian Hook; and if he will make a statement on the results of these inquiries. [87111]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to the Israeli Foreign Minister, Mr. Netanyahu, on 22 November 2002. Mr. Netanyahu promised an immediate investigation and gave an undertaking to share the results as soon as he had them. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister raised the matter with the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Sharon, on 29 November 2002. I also raised it with the Israeli Ambassador, Mr. Shtauber, on 4 and 5 December 2002. There has also been frequent contact between our embassy in Tel Aviv and the Israeli authorities, and our Chargé d'Affaires discussed the IDF inquiry with a senior IDF officer on 3 December 2002, at the IDF's request.
We have made our concerns clear at the highest levels, and received assurances that the IDF inquiry would be rigorous and comprehensive.
We are also in touch with the UN about the investigation they are carrying out into Mr. Hook's death.