Andrew Mitchell intervenes in the second reading of the Palestine Statehood (Recognition) Bill.

The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Mr Andrew Mitchell)

I congratulate the hon. Lady on bringing forward the Bill. On the back of the comments of the hon. Member for Hammersmith (Andy Slaughter), who knows a lot about the subject, I will say that we are clear that we want to see the creation of a sovereign, independent and viable Palestinian state that lives in peace and security, side by side with Israel. In our view, now is not the time to take that step, but recognising a Palestinian state is a powerful diplomatic tool that we will deploy when it best serves the objectives of peace.

Layla Moran (Oxford West and Abingdon) (LD)

May I thank the Minister for his work? I will keep trying to convince him that the time is now.

Hansard