To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to enable the reconstruction of the infrastructure of Gaza following Operation Cast Lead. [HL1535]

The Department for International Development (DfID) is funding early recovery projects in Gaza including rubble clearance, road repairs, removal of unexploded ordnance and rehabilitation of agricultural buildings. DfID also supports the UN Access Support Team which facilitates the entry of UN and non-governmental organisation staff as well as materials into Gaza from Israel. Whilst this work is important in establishing conditions on the ground conducive to large-scale reconstruction, such activity will only be possible once restrictions on access for aid, aid workers and reconstruction materials into Gaza are significantly eased.

Improving access to Gaza is a priority for the UK Government and we raise the issue with the Government of Israel at all available opportunities. Most recently, on 1 December 2009, Secretary of State Douglas Alexander discussed this issue with Ehud Barak, the Israeli Minister of Defence. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Mike Foster also met with Israeli Vice Prime Minister Shalom in November and Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon in October to discuss the issue.