Letter to the Chairman of the Committee
from the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES
Following the recent evidence session of 13
June, I am writing as promised to provide a response to Question
257 about the British Council.
The British Council is keenly aware of its duty
of care towards its staff and visitors in the Palestinian Territories,
as elsewhere, and gives high priority to ensuring their safety.
In mid-February of this year it delivered two courses on security
for its staff in the Middle East: three staff from the Palestinian
Territories participated and followed the guidance they had been
given, during the attacks on their offices in March. Feedback
from individuals showed that training helped them in this crisis
situation.
Since the attacks, the British Council has decided
to move to new premises in Gaza and Ramallah. The aim is to re-open
the Council's physical presence as a matter of priority. A security
specialist has visited both cities and identified premises which
would be suitable both from a security and from an operational
point of view, and the Council is currently in the process of
agreeing terms with landlords. The Council keeps in daily contact
with the Consulate General on security and travel movements.
Over the last few months, staff have worked
from temporary premises in Gaza but, with the current difficulties,
are now working from home. Core services, including running examinations,
educational enquiries and events, are being maintained by staff
working from a temporary location in Ramallah and from the East
Jerusalem office. The Council is currently reviewing its strategy
for the longer term in order to maintain services while minimising
risk to staff and visitors. This will include a greater emphasis
on indirect and virtual services.
Sir David Green, the Director General of the
British Council, has stated:
"Our centres in both Gaza and Ramallah provide
an important service for students and young people who otherwise
have little access to educational opportunities. We are determined
to ensure that we can find ways of continuing our valuable work
in the Palestinian Territories. While security at the offices
had been reinforced in recent years, having open access to the
public has been an important principle for our operations in the
Palestinian Territories."
Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
18 July 2006
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