To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the state of relations between the UK and Mauritius. (317119)

There is no regular formalised process for assessing the state of relations between the UK and allies such as Mauritius, although annual informal assessments are made as part of every UK mission’s business planning process. UK relations with Mauritius are broad and wide, with regular contacts at all levels. Later this year, we will be marking the 200th anniversary of UK involvement in Mauritius. More immediately, the Privy Council will hold their second sitting in Mauritius this April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Ministers and officials in his Department last met the Mauritian Government to discuss bilateral issues. (317120)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met the Mauritian Foreign Minister, Dr. Arvin Boolell, on 28 November 2009 during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago. Officials met representatives of the Mauritian Government on 14 January 2009 and 21 July 2009 for bilateral talks on the British Indian Ocean Territory. And our high commissioner to Mauritius maintains regular contact with his host Government and meets Mauritian Government Ministers and officials on a weekly basis.