To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the capacity of UN officials to access registers containing details of the internally displaced in camps in northern Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement. (277231)

We are aware of the continued difficulties that UN officials and aid agencies face in accessing registration lists for the people displaced by the recent conflict in Sri Lanka. In all our recent discussions with President Rajapakse and Foreign Minister Bogollagama, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I have urged the Sri Lankan Government to allow full and unfettered access to internally displaced persons camps for the UN and other humanitarian agencies including access to the screening and registration process. We fully support the efforts of the UN Secretary-General in this regard, including his recent visit to Sri Lanka.