government in london, but not really thinking of the broader picture. one element worth mentioning for viewers wondering, the glaring question of scotland, northern ireland and wales, this inquiry will move to devolved nations later on, early next year. this is very much about the devolved power to the english cities. we've heard from those two mayors. what comes next? we will hear from steve rotherham, mayors. what comes next? we will hearfrom steve rotherham, the metro mayor for liverpool, another picture of how he felt and possibly similar anecdotes. sadly khan and andy burnham and steve rotherham are all labour mayors, but they kept party politics out of bed. it was a sense of pulling together. we will hear from him. laterthis of pulling together. we will hear from him. later this week we will hearfrom more ministers, the accusations may be answered by them. we have michael gove tomorrow, the cabinet minister, so to some extent his role is to bring what everyone was saying and deliver it as a message to downing street. later we will hear from the health secretary matt hancock. that should be explosive. he's had criticism levelled at him, more today. i think a pretty big week at the covid inquiry. last week was a scientist, this is the politicians and the political decisions are made. this covid inquiry, which you being covering, has been divided into different areas. what stage are we at at the moment? day in, day out. you make it sound so glamorous. it hasn't rained each day. we had a module one in the summer, about britain's preparedness before the pandemic, the months leading up. should we have had a plan? this bit is about political decision—making and how the science worked into it. that is why we've heard so much from the politicians and the inner workings of downing street at the time. this inquiry will go on for several years, so we will hear more in the coming years about, for example, how much ppe was procured and delve into those decisions. we will talk about social care. this part of the module, the inquiry at war moved to the devolved nations in the coming months share. it will give us an interesting insight into the relationship between downing street and the devolved nations. we know from living through it, that was not a harmonious relationship. we will get deeper into it. all of these results will be filtered out throughout the coming years, but they will send a reporter in a fierce time. the big joke is how much it costs, and the critics have said it is taking longer than the pandemic itself is quite clearly, there is an awful lot to get through. thank you very much. any price at the covid inquiry outside. we are going back to the covid inquiry as it continues. it resumes after its short break. let's listen n. just dealing with the resilience forum, oversees the preparedness, response and recovery within that region. is that right? yes. as a consequence, it has responsibility in terms of... thank you, definite speaker. i thank the shadow— thank you, definite speaker. i thank the shadow foreign secretary for this question. a tragedy is unfolding in the middle east. israel has suffered the worst terror attack in its _ has suffered the worst terror attack in its history, and palestinian civilians _ in its history, and palestinian civilians are experiencing a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis _ devastating and growing humanitarian crisis as_ devastating and growing humanitarian crisis as a _ devastating and growing humanitarian crisis. as a foreign secretary made cleai’, _ crisis. as a foreign secretary made clear. the _ crisis. as a foreign secretary made clear, the agreement was a crucial step towards providing relief to the famiiies— step towards providing relief to the families of the hostages and addressing the humanitarian emergency in gaza. this pause has provided _ emergency in gaza. this pause has provided an — emergency in gaza. this pause has provided an important opportunity to ensure _ provided an important opportunity to ensure much greater volumes of food, fuel and _ ensure much greater volumes of food, fuel and other life—saving aid can enter— fuel and other life—saving aid can enter gaze — fuel and other life—saving aid can enter gaza. on the 24th of november, the british— enter gaza. on the 24th of november, the british government announced a further— the british government announced a further £30 million of assistance, tripling _ further £30 million of assistance, tripling our existing aid budget for the occupied palestinian territories this financial year. during the pause, — this financial year. during the pause, the fourth uk aircraft carrying _ pause, the fourth uk aircraft carrying 23 tonnes of humanitarian aid arrived — carrying 23 tonnes of humanitarian aid arrived in each of two, bringing the total— aid arrived in each of two, bringing the total amount of aid provided by aircraft _ the total amount of aid provided by aircraft 274— the total amount of aid provided by aircraft 274 tonnes. this aid is being — aircraft 274 tonnes. this aid is being disbursed to the united nations, to support critical food, water, _ nations, to support critical food, water, health, shelterand water, health, shelter and protection water, health, shelterand protection needs in gaza. two pre—position emergency supplies in the region — pre—position emergency supplies in the region. today is the fourth and final day— the region. today is the fourth and final day of— the region. today is the fourth and final day of that the british government is supportive of the current— government is supportive of the current pause continuing, but that is for— current pause continuing, but that is for the — current pause continuing, but that is for the israelis and others in the region— is for the israelis and others in the region to agree. we are clear, this pause — the region to agree. we are clear, this pause should not be a one—off, the increased flow of fuel and blue supplies— the increased flow of fuel and blue supplies over the crossing accompanying the pause was welcome and must _ accompanying the pause was welcome and must be sustained. this pause shoutd _ and must be sustained. this pause should act— and must be sustained. this pause should act as a confidence building mechanism for future pauses, including _ mechanism for future pauses, including those solely on humanitarian grounds. we welcome the intensive _ humanitarian grounds. we welcome the intensive international cooperation, including _ intensive international cooperation, including efforts from qatar and the usa leading to this agreement, and we thank— usa leading to this agreement, and we thank partner is for their continued work. we remain committed to making _ continued work. we remain committed to making the progress towards a two state solution. britain's long—standing position on the peace process— long—standing position on the peace process is— long—standing position on the peace process is clear, we support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and _ negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure israel living alongside a viable and sovereign policy— alongside a viable and sovereign policy and state. the uk will continue _ policy and state. the uk will continue to work with all partners in the _ continue to work with all partners in the region to reach a long—term political— in the region to reach a long—term political solution which enables both israelis and palestinians to live in— both israelis and palestinians to live in peace. i both israelis and palestinians to live in peace-— both israelis and palestinians to live in eace. ., ., ., live in peace. i am grateful for the aurantin live in peace. i am grateful for the granting of— live in peace. i am grateful for the granting of a _ live in peace. i am grateful for the granting of a surge _ live in peace. i am grateful for the granting of a surge in _ live in peace. i am grateful for the granting of a surge in question. i granting of a surge in question. holding the government to account is a sacred duty of this house. but with the lord of chipping norton not here, this is feeling more like a game of where's wally. can i start by asking the minister what progress is being made with the speaker to ensure all members can question the foreign secretary? the last 17 who ours have brought much—needed relief to israel and gaza —— 72 hours. can i recommend the good work of the us and red cross, the images of hostages released has moved us all. it remains bittersweet with many more still captive, their families in agony. in gaza, the last few weeks have been an unimaginable nightmare for innocent palestinians. the civil death toll including thousands of women and children has been shocking and intolerable. the increased flow of aid remains a fraction of what is required. more time is needed. we must support the parties to reach an agreement to extend the substation of hostilities. to secure the release of remaining hostages, to deliver more aid to provide a stepping stone to an enduring cessation of hostilities and ensuring what follows the war is a durable, political solution. the danger is the fighting resumes in near ours. if the vital efforts to extend their cessation of hostilities fail, does my right honourable friend agree we cannot return to the situation before this pause? we cannot go back to hamas considering rocket attacks on israel and can't go back to an acceptable siege conditions in gaza, and we cargo back to the scenes are thousands of innocent palestinians being killed. the two state solution remains the only credible basis for a lasting peace, a future in which israel is secure from the threat of hamas terrorist, a future in which gazais hamas terrorist, a future in which gaza is not occupied and its people are no longer displays, a future in which palestinians and israelis can enjoy security, dignity and human rights. enjoy security, dignity and human riahts. . ~' ,, enjoy security, dignity and human riihts, ., ~' ., ., rights. thank you, madam definite seaker. i rights. thank you, madam definite speaker. i thank— rights. thank you, madam definite speaker. i thank the _ rights. thank you, madam definite speaker. i thank the honourable i speaker. i thank the honourable gentleman for most of his comments, and in _ gentleman for most of his comments, and in particular his desire to ensure — and in particular his desire to ensure that there is an extension in the cessation of histology is. and what _ the cessation of histology is. and what you — the cessation of histology is. and what you said about the broader situation, — what you said about the broader situation, the opposition front bench — situation, the opposition front bench are _ situation, the opposition front bench are in agreement about that. he asked _ bench are in agreement about that. he asked what progress has been made in ensuring _ he asked what progress has been made in ensuring the foreign office and the government's foreign policy is subject— the government's foreign policy is subject to — the government's foreign policy is subject to prop us scrutiny in this house. _ subject to prop us scrutiny in this house. and — subject to prop us scrutiny in this house, and i agree with him that there _ house, and i agree with him that there is— house, and i agree with him that there is a — house, and i agree with him that there is a sacred duty to ensure all that scrutiny is made available. i would _ that scrutiny is made available. i would point out he will have seen from _ would point out he will have seen from the — would point out he will have seen from the recent visit to the middle east by— from the recent visit to the middle east by lord cameron, the extraordinary authority a former prime _ extraordinary authority a former prime minister carrying out these tasks _ prime minister carrying out these tasks can— prime minister carrying out these tasks can bring to bear. he's the most _ tasks can bring to bear. he's the most senior— tasks can bring to bear. he's the most senior foreign minister in europe — most senior foreign minister in europe and indeed the region. i think— europe and indeed the region. i think the — europe and indeed the region. i think the house on all sides will see the — think the house on all sides will see the benefit of that in the days and months to come. this see the benefit of that in the days and months to come.— see the benefit of that in the days and months to come. this is a very serious matter. _ and months to come. this is a very serious matter. the _ and months to come. this is a very serious matter. the uk's _ and months to come. this is a very serious matter. the uk's priority i and months to come. this is a very serious matter. the uk's priority in the region is security and stability for the whole of the middle east, yet today benjamin netanyahu plans to push forward with a special budget which will fund expansions of the settlement by over $80 million. as a friend we have a duty to say to israel, do not proceed, it takes us further away from peace and frankly it well risk not only the truce, but the ability to get home hostages still held. what is he doing to make sure we speak plainly to our friends? i sure we speak plainly to our friends? . ~ sure we speak plainly to our friends? ., ,, . ., ., friends? i thank the chair of the foreian friends? i thank the chair of the foreign affairs _ friends? i thank the chair of the foreign affairs select _ friends? i thank the chair of the j foreign affairs select committee friends? i thank the chair of the - foreign affairs select committee for her comments. she is entirely right that israel— her comments. she is entirely right that israel must comply with international humanitarian law. and must _ international humanitarian law. and must not _ international humanitarian law. and must not only prosecute but punish those _ must not only prosecute but punish those who — must not only prosecute but punish those who have been involved in settler— those who have been involved in settler violence. we are delivering to measures to all sides in this dreadful— to measures to all sides in this dreadful conflict, the government will continue to do so. i am grateful— will continue to do so. i am grateful for the minister for his statement. can i commend the dignity in which _ statement. can i commend the dignity in which the _ statement. can i commend the dignity in which the last speaker raise her concerns— in which the last speaker raise her concerns question what does the minister— concerns question what does the minister agreed although we want to see peace _ minister agreed although we want to see peace in the middle east with the establishment of a two state solution — the establishment of a two state solution in which israel and palestine recognise as equals with equal— palestine recognise as equals with equal responsibility to uphold law? given— equal responsibility to uphold law? given now— equal responsibility to uphold law? given now there are credible accusations of war crimes against both sides. — accusations of war crimes against both sides, with the government confirm — both sides, with the government confirm it— both sides, with the government confirm it will give full support to the court — confirm it will give full support to the court to investigate without fear of — the court to investigate without fear of favour all allocations of war crimes so that any perpetrator, regardless — war crimes so that any perpetrator, regardless of whose friend they might _ regardless of whose friend they might be, is brought tojustice before — might be, is brought tojustice before the international courts? given _ before the international courts? given it — before the international courts? given it is — before the international courts? given it is an offence to supply weapons — given it is an offence to supply weapons where they may be used in a war crime, _ weapons where they may be used in a war crime, what assessment has the government— war crime, what assessment has the government made of the locality of arms sales — government made of the locality of arms sales to the middle east? i don't _ arms sales to the middle east? i don't know— arms sales to the middle east? i don't know if the minister heard my plea for— don't know if the minister heard my plea for my— don't know if the minister heard my plea for my constituent doctor for will he _ plea for my constituent doctor for will he agreed to meet with me and her and _ will he agreed to meet with me and her and the — will he agreed to meet with me and her and the home secretary so they can find _ her and the home secretary so they can find an — her and the home secretary so they can find an effective way to get the families— can find an effective way to get the families of— can find an effective way to get the families of uk national still stuck in gaza _ families of uk national still stuck in gaza out, because if we don't get them _ in gaza out, because if we don't get them out _ in gaza out, because if we don't get them out during a ceasefire, we might— them out during a ceasefire, we might not— them out during a ceasefire, we might not get them out at all? in respect _ might not get them out at all? in respect of— might not get them out at all? in respect of the international criminal— respect of the international criminal court, both i and the lord chancellor— criminal court, both i and the lord chancellor have made clear the position — chancellor have made clear the position. it is not for government ministers, — position. it is not for government ministers, politicians to address these _ ministers, politicians to address these matters. it is for the prosecutor and administrator. in prosecutor and administrator. in terms prosecutor and administrator. terms of prosecutor and administrator. in terms of future thinking, which prosecutor and administrator. ii�*u terms of future thinking, which she identifies as critical, he will recall that the progress made at oslo, of the back of it, that is something which should give us some confidence of these dreadful sense of circumstances that we need to focus on the future and a lot of thinking is going on. in terms of his points about the arms resume, he will know the british government has the toughest arms export regime in the toughest arms export regime in the world and we adhere to it. the whole house _ the world and we adhere to it. the whole house once a sea hostages release _ whole house once a sea hostages release and aid getting in during this low— release and aid getting in during this low infighting. both sides are committed to recommence fighting. gould _ committed to recommence fighting. could i_ committed to recommence fighting. gould i ask— committed to recommence fighting. could i ask whether it is time to call for— could i ask whether it is time to call for a — could i ask whether it is time to call for a demilitarisation of gaza, and look— call for a demilitarisation of gaza, and look at — call for a demilitarisation of gaza, and look at what the security and governance is like for the future? will he _ governance is like for the future? will he consider age joy to summit with the _ will he consider age joy to summit with the us, bringing stakeholders to look— with the us, bringing stakeholders to look at— with the us, bringing stakeholders to look at the complications as to where _ to look at the complications as to where this— to look at the complications as to where this conflict needs to resort to? ~ , where this conflict needs to resort to? y ., ., ., , , to? my right