Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the government of Israel on the building of illegal settlements. [42225]

Alistair Burt MP; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State: Our view is that all settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is illegal and an obstacle to peace. It also threatens to make a two state solution impossible in the future. While visiting the region in January, I saw the impact of the occupation, including settlements, on Palestinian people.

We understand the depth of Israeli security concerns. But, as my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has consistently stressed, in public and in private, we are very disappointed that Israel has not renewed the freeze on settlement construction. The Foreign Secretary discussed these issues most recently with Israeli Foreign Minister Lieberman on 24 January 2011 in London.

We continue to call on the Government of Israel to take all necessary steps to prevent settlement construction.