§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of movement restrictions in the West Bank on the effectiveness of the EU trade agreement with the territories. [161493]
§ Mr. MacShaneRestrictions on freedom of movement have made it more difficult for Palestinians to take advantage of the European Communities/Palestinian Liberation Organisation interim Agreement. This has contributed to a deep economic crisis. According to the World Bank, 60 per cent. of Palestinians live on less than the UN poverty threshold of US$2.10 a day. The Government and EU partners regularly call on both sides to implement their roadmap obligations, including the easing of restrictions on the movement of persons and goods.