To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with his US counterpart on the negotiation of a free trade agreement between the US and Colombia; and if he will make a statement. (310444)

Neither my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary nor I have held recent discussions with our US counterparts on the negotiation of any free trade agreement between the United States and Colombia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 6 January 2010, Official Report, column 410W, on Colombia: overseas trade, for what reasons he will not withdraw from the negotiation of a free trade agreement with Colombia. (310455)

I refer the hon. Member to the response made by my hon. Friend the Minister of State (Mr. Lewis) on 26 November 2009, Official Report, column 302W.

We believe that free trade agreements can help to create the right circumstances for improved stability, where human rights stand a better chance of flourishing. Denying Colombia access to the economic opportunities presented by the multi-party trade agreement would undermine this prospect.

However, we would not support an agreement that did not contain a robust and enforceable human rights clause, which would allow the EU to suspend the agreement if it is breached.