§ Lord Stallardasked Her Majesty's Government:
How the United Kingdom will be represented in East Timor after independence. [HL4196]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos)The UK has played a leading role in rebuilding East Timor and preparing for self-government there. We have so far committed more than £30 million for reconstruction andrehabilitation—including £12 million from DfID for the first three years after independence. We will upgrade the existing British office in Dili to an embassy on independence and Hamish St Clair Daniel will be the first British Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of East Timor. My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Mr Ben Bradshaw, will represent HMG at the Independence Day celebrations in Dili on 20 May.