Written question asked by Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Monday, 6 February 2012.

Gaza

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what recent discussions they have had with the Government of Israel concerning the impact of its restrictions on building materials entering the Gaza Strip upon the availability of school places.

Answer: My right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised the issue of restrictions on Gaza with Israeli Defence Minister Barak in November 2011. Our officials in Tel Aviv discussed the need to allow building materials into Gaza with the Israeli Prime Minister's Office in January 2012 and with the Israeli Ministry of Defence in December 2011. We continue to have concerns over the impact on the quality of education available for children in Gaza. We have consistently lobbied the Israeli Government at ministerial and official level, in close co-ordination with the office of the quartet representative and European Union (EU) partners. As well as continuing to press the Israeli Government bilaterally to allow more building materials into Gaza, we are working with EU partners to take stronger collective action. The Department for International Development supports the United Nations (UN) Access Co-ordination Unit to work with the UN, Israel, the Palestinian Authority and aid agencies to facilitate the transfer of vital assistance in and out of Gaza.

Secondary information