Oral Answers to Questions

Martyn Day Excerpts

Tuesday 24th October 2023 Commons Chamber

[Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab)]

9. What diplomatic steps he is taking with his international counterparts to help open humanitarian corridors in Gaza.

[Martyn Day (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (SNP)]

18. What steps his Department is taking to help ensure the safety of (a) Palestinian and (b) Israeli civilians in the Gaza-Israel conflict.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Mitchell]

The hon. Lady is entirely right that the Rafah crossing is currently the only way we can get food and relief supplies in. Supplies are coming to El Arish, but the number of trucks going through every day is far too small. We will continue to press all the relevant authorities to allow humanitarian support and aid of the type she describes through the Rafah crossing to help those whose circumstances are precisely as she describes.

[Martyn Day]

With thousands of innocent civilians dead, tens of thousands injured, hundreds of thousands displaced and a denial of humanitarian need, what level of civilian suffering will it take before this Government back calls for a ceasefire?

--- Later in debate ---

[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.

[Martyn Day (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (SNP)]

T6. If Government will not back an actual ceasefire, will they at least consider supporting a humanitarian pause, to allow essential supplies to reach the 2 million civilians trapped in Gaza?

[Mr Mitchell]

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