Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli authorities on the possible demolition of EU-funded buildings at Khan al-Ahmar in the Palestinian territories. [107447]

Alistair Burt : We have repeatedly made clear to the Israelis our serious concern at the 40% increase last year in demolitions of Palestinian properties in the west bank and East Jerusalem, as recorded by the UN. We view such demolitions and evictions as causing unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians; as harmful to the peace process; and, in all but the most limited circumstances, as contrary to international humanitarian law.

I visited several buildings, including the school at Khan al-Ahmar, subject to demolition orders during my visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories in January and subsequently discussed this issue with the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister on 9 January and the Israeli Deputy Prime Minister on 19 March.

Officials from the British embassy in Tel Aviv also raised our concerns about the issue of demolitions at a senior level with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 8 May.

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the number of Gazans dependent on food aid. [107448]

Alistair Burt : According to the latest figures (June 2011) from the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 66% of Gazans depend either entirely or partly on food aid.

Over the next four years, the UK will provide annually food vouchers to 5,750 poor households and temporary work opportunities to 5,300 vulnerable refugees to enable them to meet their basic food needs.

We continue to call on the Israeli Government to ease movement and access restrictions to enable the rebuilding of the Gazan economy and to reduce aid dependency.

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made on the opening of crossings into Gaza. [107450]

Alistair Burt : We are clear that Israeli restrictions on movements of goods and people do serious damage to the economy and living standards of ordinary people in Gaza. The current situation fosters radicalisation and empowers Hamas. An improved economy is not only essential for the people of Gaza, but firmly in Israel's security interests. In close co-ordination with our EU partners and the Office of the Quartet Representation, we continue to press the Israeli Government at ministerial and official level to ease access restrictions.

I most recently raised this issue with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon on 18 January. Our ambassador to Israel also raised the issue with Prime Minister Netanyahu's Chief Negotiator, Yitzhak Molcho, and the Israeli Co-ordinator of Government Activity in the Territories, General Dangot, in March.

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to visit Palestine to assess the humanitarian situation. [107451]

Alistair Burt : The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has no immediate plans to visit the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

We maintain a regular schedule of ministerial visits to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including to assess the humanitarian situation. I last visited in January this year. The Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), also visited in December.