HC Deb 10 May 2004 vol 421 cc121-2W
Mr. Paice

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's relations with the Maldives. [172054]

Mr. Rammell

The UK enjoys good relations with the Maldives, a fellow member of the Commonwealth. The British High Commissioner in Colombo (accredited to the Maldives) visits regularly, most recently from 19 to 22 March when he met the Foreign Minister and the Minister for Home Affairs among others.

Mr. Paice

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Commonwealth has taken to encourage multi-party politics in the Maldives. [172055]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

It is for the Commonwealth Secretariat to comment on any action they may have taken to encourage multi-party politics in the Maldives. The Commonwealth Secretary General visited the Maldives in January 2003.

Mr. Paice

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official contacts his Department has had with representatives of the Democratic Party of the Maldives. [172056]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Officials in London and at our High Commission in Colombo (accredited to the Maldives) have met representatives of the Maldivian Democratic Party several times, most recently on 24 March.