Palestinian Territories: Development Support

Lord Dubs Excerpts

Monday 1st September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I cannot see a situation where there is any kind of peace, lasting or otherwise, that comes about without the release of those hostages. What their families have been forced to endure for far too long is unimaginable for many of us. Many of us here have met the families of those hostages. Thank goodness some of them have been released, but, as the noble Lord says, many have not. We call on anybody who has any ability to help to bring it about that those people are released and tragically, in too many cases, that their bodies are returned, and for that to happen immediately.

[Lord Dubs (Lab)]

My Lords, does the Minister agree that a future Palestinian state is going to need as many well-qualified individuals as possible to make things happen? In the light of that, I congratulate the Government on having agreed to take some students from Gaza. Will the Minister confirm that about 80 of these have been offered places in British universities? Will they all be able to come, and will they be given the financial support to take up their places?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

Clearly, what has happened in regard to the students is through no fault of those students—it is a very difficult situation. We are talking to our colleagues in the Home Office, and they obviously—and we understand why—want to make sure that all the necessary security clearances are obtained. That is not easy in this context, and we may well in the next few minutes talk about the medical evacuation of children as well. These things need to be done, and they need to be done responsibly. It is absolutely devastating what has happened to the life chances and educational prospects of some of the brightest and most able young people in Gaza, who, as the noble Lord says, should be making a contribution to the future of their country.