Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of reports by (a) Human Rights Watch and (b) Amnesty International alleging the use of white phosphorus in (i) Lebanon and (ii) Gaza.

We are aware of reports from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International alleging the use of white phosphorus in Lebanon and Gaza. HMG will not provide a running commentary on possible violations of International Humanitarian Law. The Government keeps policy regularly under review to ensure it meets our obligations and needs at the time. While it is the responsibility of the parties themselves to ensure respect for International Humanitarian Law, the UK Government is scrupulous in ensuring that its own actions do not in any way assist or support the violation of international law.