Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Gaza: Humanitarian Aid

Monday 25 March 2024 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK is working with allies, partners, and international organizations to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
  • UK faces challenges in ensuring aid reaches civilians rather than Hamas fighters.
  • UK has delivered 161 tonnes of humanitarian aid through various means including RAF and Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Judith Cummins Lab Bradford South
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

With Gaza facing a severe humanitarian crisis, the UK is under pressure to increase aid shipments.

Question

What steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to increase the number of aid shipments to the middle east. With half of Gaza already starving and the rest teetering on the edge of famine, access to humanitarian aid is crucial.

Answer from Grant Shapps

There is a desperate need for increased humanitarian support to Gaza. The UK, including the Ministry of Defence, is working collectively with allies, partners and international organisations to deliver desperately needed aid to the Gazan population. I have sent teams both to Tampa to work with US Central Command and to the region to help with planning and constructing that pier.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for increasing aid shipments was not provided

How: Working Collectively, Challenging Situation

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Q2 David Simmonds Con Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Foreign Affairs
Context

The UK's armed forces are facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Question

What further steps can be taken to ensure that British aid finds its way to civilians in need, rather than into the hands of Hamas fighters?

Answer from Grant Shapps

That is one of the greatest challenges in the current situation. We are working with the British Red Cross, UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme, the Egyptian Red Crescent and others to ensure that aid gets to the right places. That is extremely challenging, and has slowed down aid delivery.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions to prevent aid from reaching Hamas were not detailed

How: Extremely Challenging

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Q3 Will Quince Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

The Israeli Government aims to flood Gaza with aid, and the UK is involved in facilitating this.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that we will work with our partners globally to get more aid into the hands of civilians in Gaza, and will assist the Israelis to deliver on that pledge as soon as possible?

Answer from Grant Shapps

I inform my hon. Friend that we have already delivered 74 tonnes of humanitarian aid via the RAF, and 87 tonnes through the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. In addition, we are pursuing land, air and maritime routes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps to work with Israel were not detailed

How: Pursuing Multiple Routes

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Q4 Judith Cummins Lab Bradford South
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

The UK Government has committed to building a temporary pier in Gaza for aid delivery.

Question

What steps he is taking, along with the Foreign Secretary, to ensure that the pier is constructed as quickly as possible?

Answer from Grant Shapps

The hon. Lady will be pleased to hear that I have sent teams both to Tampa to work with US Central Command and to the region to help with planning and constructing that pier. In addition, right at the beginning of the conflict, I ensured that we did hydrographic research, to aid in exactly this kind of situation.

Answered
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Q5 Emma Hardy Lab Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Foreign Affairs
Context

The UK's ability to deliver aid depends on its relationships with Middle Eastern countries.

Question

What impact does the Secretary of State think that recent events and UK Government foreign policy decisions have had on that crucial relationship with those middle eastern partners?

Answer from Grant Shapps

The hon. Lady will be pleased to hear that the Foreign Secretary, the Prime Minister and I have been very proactive in speaking to and making multiple visits to the region. I have visited the majority of countries in the middle east and Gulf region to discuss exactly the points that she has raised.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific impact was not quantified or detailed

How: Proactive Visits

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Q6 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Community Security Foreign Affairs
Context

The UK is asked about its commitment to international humanitarian law regarding aid delivery in Gaza.

Question

When will the Government make a further public determination on Israel's commitment to international humanitarian law, given the man-made famine unfolding in northern Gaza? What steps will be taken if violations are found?

Answer from Grant Shapps

It is a pity to ask all those questions without referencing the 100-plus hostages who are still being held by Hamas, who brutally slaughtered the population deliberately rather than as a by-product of war. The hon. Gentleman asks a number of questions. I can tell him that on arms exports to Israel, an issue for which I am responsible, it is, to put it in proportion—I think, from the top of my head—just £48 million for the past year.

Not addressed: Details about public determination and steps if violations are found were not provided

How: Discussing Hostages, Referencing Arms Export Figures

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