To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with the British Red Cross on the provision of humanitarian aid to Indian-administered Kashmir. (242450)

The Department for International Development has regular dialogue with the British Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on key humanitarian emergencies around the World.

During Gareth Thomas’s meeting with Jakob Kellenberger, President of the ICRC, on 7 September 2008 there was no reference to the access of humanitarian aid to Indian-administered Kashmir. Official dialogue with the British Red Cross have focused on their programmes with partner national societies and have not involved discussion on Kashmir.