§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings he has arranged during his visit to the British Virgin Islands; whom he will meet; and what is the purpose of his visit.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI hope to visit the British Virgin Islands—BVI—from 20 to 22 April: I hope to meet the governor, the chief minister and executive council and leading members of the community. In particular I hope to look at BVI's capabilities to combat drug trafficking and see and discuss developments in the offshore finance sector.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with Ministers from the British Virgin Islands about combating drugs trafficking; what action he is now taking as a result; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWhen I met the chief minister of the British Virgin Islands, the Hon. Lavity Stoutt, on 11 March we discussed the campaign to combat drugs trafficking through BVI. I informed the chief minister that the FCO had just purchased a drugs surveillance aircraft to be based in BVI and would fund a two man RAF team to operate it. I hope to be able to inspect anti-narcotics operations in the BVI during a visit from 20 to 22 April.