To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the International Red Cross on (a) the imprisonment of Gilad Shalit by Hamas and (b) the refusal of Hamas to allow Gilad Shalit Red Cross (ICRC) visits; and if he will make a statement. (283704)

Both British Ministers and our ambassador in Israel have been in contact with Gilad Shalit's family throughout his captivity and emphasized our support for Gilad's immediate release.

On 25 June 2009, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary repeated the UK's call to Hamas for Gilad Shalit's immediate, unconditional, and safe release.

Last September, our ambassador helped to deliver over 2,000 Jewish new year cards for Gilad to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as part of a campaign organised by the UK Jewish community. We share the Shalit family's dismay at Hamas's refusal to allow the ICRC access to Gilad. We will continue to pursue this issue both privately and publicly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Arab governments on (a) the imprisonment of Gilad Shalit by Hamas and (b) the refusal of Hamas to allow him Red Cross visits; and if he will make a statement. (283705)

The UK will continue to call for the immediate release of Gilad Shalit by Hamas. The Arab League has mandated Egypt to communicate with Hamas. We are in regular contact with both the Arab League and Egypt.

Both Ministers and our ambassador in Tel Aviv have had contact with Gilad Shalit's family throughout his captivity and emphasized our support. On 25 June 2009, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary repeated the UK's call for Gilad Shalit's immediate, unconditional, and safe release. We share the Shalit family's dismay at Hamas's refusal to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross access to Gilad.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take at the United Nations in relation to the imprisonment of Gilad Shalit by Hamas; and if he will make a statement. (283710)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised his concerns at the UN Security Council meeting on 11 May 2009.

Both Ministers and our ambassador in Israel have had contact with Gilad's family throughout his captivity and emphasized our support. On 25 June, the Foreign Secretary repeated the UK's call for Gilad Shalit's immediate, unconditional, and safe release. We share the Shalit family's dismay at Hamas's refusal to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross access to Gilad.