asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made in reducing the numbers of unauthorised settlement outposts and security checkpoints on roads in the West Bank, thus implementing previous international agreements; who is directly responsible for achieving implementation; and to whom they are accountable. [HL5515]

The UK considers that Israeli settlement building anywhere in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is illegal under international law. The road map was clear that Israel should freeze all settlement activity, including the so-called natural growth of existing settlements and all outposts erected since March 2001.

We will continue to press Israel to fulfil its commitments. This was done most recently by my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary at the UN Security Council meeting on 26 September.