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Israel: Overseas Trade

Volume 479: debated on Monday 21 July 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance his Department has issued on the obligations of UK companies under the International Criminal Court Act 2001 in relation to the purchase of goods from illegal Israeli settlements; and if he will make a statement. (219692)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what reports he has received on UK companies buying goods from illegal Israeli settlements; (219693)

(2) what representations he has received on the compliance with international law of UK companies buying goods from illegal Israeli settlements.

We are concerned that goods from illegal Israeli settlements may be entering the UK under false pretences and without paying the correct customs duties. We have discussed this issue with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, the Palestinian General Delegation in London and non-governmental organisations. Several media outlets have also contacted us about the issue. We take this issue seriously and have alerted HM Revenue and Customs to it so that they can take appropriate action.