§ Mrs. EllmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the activities of Hamas in the United Kingdom. [164889]
§ Mr. Blunkett[holding answer 29 March 2004]: I have been asked to reply.
The military wing of Hamas, Hamas-lzz al-Din al-Qassem Brigades (HIDQ) was proscribed in 2001 under the terms of the Terrorism Act 2000. However, Hamas also engages in social activities, providing welfare, medical and educational services in the Palestinian Occupied Territories. The group is not formally represented in the United Kingdom, but supporters are involved in fundraising and political activity on its behalf. Any allegations of illegal activity are and will be investigated by the appropriate authorities.