Topical Questions

Answer from James Cleverly

In response to the terrorist attacks, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, other Ministers and I have engaged intensively with allies, but we are equally determined to support Ukraine, tackle illegal migration, support stability in sub-Saharan Africa, and alleviate poverty around the world.

Answer from James Cleverly

We are trying to find every avenue to alleviate humanitarian suffering. We will be represented at senior ministerial level at the Security Council later today, aiming to take action that delivers aid and support to the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Answer from Leo Docherty

Consular staff remain in contact with Cypriot authorities regarding the investigation. We passed a letter from George's family to the Cypriot authorities and have followed up for a response, most recently on 5 October.

Answer from James Cleverly

The Government have made it clear that those responsible for brutalising Ukraine will ultimately pay for reconstruction.

Answer from James Cleverly

The prospect of a peaceful and secure Israel alongside a peaceful and secure Palestine is our best route to navigate situations successfully, and it will remain at the heart of UK foreign policy.

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

We are doing everything we can. These negotiations are complex to get food and other humanitarian supplies into the region and deliver them to those who need them.

Answer from James Cleverly

Limiting, and ideally stopping, the ability of organisations and countries to fund terrorism remains a priority for us.

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

In order to have a ceasefire, all parties have to agree to it. We are doing everything we can to address the humanitarian problem.

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

My hon. Friend is absolutely right: AMR is the third biggest killer now. Meetings took place at the UN General Assembly, and I was there in April attending an AMR meeting. We will do everything we can, and we are greatly enhanced in our abilities by the presence of Sally Davies, who is an envoy on AMR. I can tell my hon. Friend that this has the absolute attention of the Government.

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

The hon. Lady is ingeniously asking the same question that she asked earlier. I can tell her that we are doing everything we can to address the issue she has raised. It is as much a concern to us as it is to her, and we will continue to do that.

Answer from James Cleverly

My hon. Friend raises an important point. While I was in Israel prior to the 7 October incidents, we of course discussed the proposals for judicial reform. Those proposals have not yet been taken forward by the Israeli Government, but I can assure her and the House that we remain committed to international law and will always communicate that to all parties involved.

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

The Government, along with their partners, are doing everything to try to progress humanitarian support and supplies into Gaza.

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right about the extraordinary contribution that the CPA makes around the world. We are very anxious to address the issue she has raised and to find a mutually acceptable solution. I hope that this can be done by legislation once parliamentary time allows, but if it is not possible to place it in the King's Speech, she will know that there are other ways of pursuing the matter.

Answer from James Cleverly

I have no doubt that, in the aftermath of the brutal terrorist attacks on 7 October and Israel's defensive response, there will be an assessment of what has happened. We would want any such assessment to be as comprehensive and independent as possible.

Answer from David Rutley

Notwithstanding the challenges in Israel and Gaza, protecting freedom of religion or belief, including for minority communities, remains central to the UK Government's human rights engagement, including in Pakistan. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised the persecution of religious communities, which includes Hindus, with Pakistan's Prime Minister on 25 September.

Answer from James Cleverly

As we have seen over and over again this morning, calling for a ceasefire is the easy bit; actually negotiating something meaningful is considerably harder. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said repeatedly from the Dispatch Box, we are working with all parties. The hon. Member for Glasgow East (David Linden) has made reference to Israel's actions, but I remind the House that a ceasefire without Hamas stopping its bombardment of Israel is not a meaningful ceasefire.

Answer from James Cleverly

I commend my right hon. Friend on his pursuit of this subject, which I know was very much in his thinking when he was in my position. I can assure him that a critical minerals strategy is something that I regularly discuss with Commonwealth leaders and others, particularly in Africa. It is in their interest and ours that they protect their natural resources.

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

I have not had those discussions with my Israeli opposite number, but the hon. Gentleman may rest absolutely assured that the contact with the Israeli Government—not least during the visit of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary over the past few days—focuses on every aspect of this issue.

Answer from James Cleverly

I can confirm to the House that Ukraine's ability to defend itself remains a focus of the Government. The Prime Minister, the Defence Secretary and I discuss this matter regularly, and I continue to have regular communications with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister.

Answer from James Cleverly

Again, the hon. Lady asserts her interpretation of international law, which is not necessarily one that is shared by the Government. The preservation of all life, including Palestinian life, remains at the forefront of our thinking.

Answer from James Cleverly

I have not had the chance to speak with the Chinese Foreign Minister on this issue, but I have spoken a number of times with the Japanese Foreign Minister about it. Of course, we are more than happy to work with any international partner that can alleviate the pain and suffering of both Israelis and the Palestinian people, particularly those in Gaza, and we will continue to do so.

Answer from James Cleverly

On the proscription of the IRGC, the hon. Gentleman will have heard the answers I have already given a number of times from the Dispatch Box, but I can assure him that we continue to stand with the brave women of Iran, who are standing up for their rights in the face of their Government's oppression.

Answer from James Cleverly

In the conversations I had with the Israeli Government in the immediate aftermath of the 7 October attacks, they expressed a desire for this not to turn into a regional conflict. That desire was echoed by all the leaders of the Arab world that I have spoken to.

Answer from Andrew Mitchell

The hon. Member has heard the detailed responses from the Dispatch Box today on the difficulties entailed, and I reiterate what I said earlier: we are doing everything we can to try to make sure that we help those who are suffering in Gaza today.