To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the search for peace in the Palestinian/Israeli dispute.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the middle east peace process.

We fully support Egyptian efforts to seek clarification of Mr. Shamir's useful elections proposal and to promote talks in Cairo between the Israeli Government and Palestinians from inside and outside the occupied territories. We look to Israel to respond positively.

Is it my hon. Friend's view that if the Palestinian people were granted the right of self-determination, which they certainly should be under the United Nations charter, they would inevitably voice support for an independent Palestinian state? Has not the time come for the British Government to commit themselves to working towards the creation of such a state in the middle east?

We are working towards self-determination. It will then be entirely up to the Palestinians what they choose. The chairman of the PLO has said that they would then seek some form of federation—confederation is probably a better word—with Jordan. Self-determination is the first issue.

Is there not a disturbing credibility gap between the protestations of Mr. Arafat that he has renounced terrorism and seeks peace, and the pronouncements of some of his close associates, including Abu Iyad, that the Palestinian strife must escalate in intensity? How are we to reassure the Israelis, at least until Mr. Arafat has publicly repudiated those sentiments?

I do not know what more the PNC can do to put on record that it now wishes to negotiate a way to peace. It is worth noticing that Mr. Arafat is threatened with death by Mr. George Habash and others who oppose that policy. We have said many times in the House that if Israel does not respond within a reasonable time, there are bound to be people in the broad movement of the Palestinians who return to violence.

Bearing in mind that the Israeli Government have contemptuously dismissed every peace plan proposal put forward and that the United States Administration seem to be moving very slowly in the direction of putting some pressure on the Israeli Government, will my hon. Friend consider the possibility of a limited European initiative aimed at least at protecting the inhabitants of the West Bank and Gaza who continue to be terrorised by the Israeli occupying forces?

Britain and the European Community have increased help for the Palestinians in the occupied territories, and it is right that we should do so. I deplore the increasing economic pressure on Palestinians. It seems wholly self-defeating in terms of finding moderate leaders with whom to negotiate.

I welcome what the Minister said about the Egyptian 10-point plan. Is the Minister aware that the day before yesterday I had the opportunity in Cairo of discussing it with President Mubarak who made it clear that he framed the plan with the maximum effort to make it palatable to the Israelis? Indeed, General Rabin has made it clear that the Israeli Labour party agrees with the plan, and Israeli Labour Ministers tabled it in the Israeli Cabinet, where it was rejected. Is the Minister further aware that on Monday I had an opportunity to speak to Mr. Arafat, who made it clear that he was ready to go along with the Egyptian plan and take part with a mind delegation in discussions with the Israelis?

Will the Minister use the particular pressure that the Government can exert on the United States Administration—who are themselves playing a constructive part—so that when Mr. Shamir visits Washington next month it can be made clear to him that he and his party are the sole remaining obstacles to a sensible dialogue to settle the Israeli-Palestinian and middle eastern disputes?

I welcome what the right hon. Gentleman has said. I share his understanding and belief that the American and Egyptian Governments—I pay tribute to the skilful diplomacy of the latter in recent months—are trying to build effective and practical bridges over which both sides can advance. If that is to lead anywhere, however, a response from Israel is essential. I do not think that it can possibly be fair for Israel to demand, as its objective, that it be allowed to pick the delegation of Palestinians that would then negotiate in the face-to-face talks that we all hope will begin soon.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Order. I will take it after the statement.