To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State's responsibilities are regarding the Caribbean and Central America; when he last visited (a) the Caribbean and (b) Central America; what the purpose was of each visit; and what plans there are for such visits in the future. (192269)

I am responsible for promoting and protecting British interests in the Caribbean and Central America through our network of overseas posts and through our interaction with stakeholders.

My last two visits covered the Dominican Republic and the Cayman Islands in December 2007; and Panama, Jamaica and Mexico in September 2007. The purpose of the visits was to meet my counterparts in the region (including members of Cabinet and the Legislative Assembly in the Cayman Islands) and to discuss issues of mutual concern.

Foreign engagements, for Government Ministers, are kept under constant review. Because of the unpredictable nature of world events, final decisions on overseas visits are often not taken until shortly before travel. It is not our normal practice to announce visits until they are firm.