To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they will implement following the assassination of Guinea-Bissau's President Vieira to seek to prevent that country from acting as a transit route for cocaine from Colombia to the United Kingdom. [HL1924]

The Government are monitoring the situation in Guinea-Bissau. It is too early to judge whether the assassination of President Vieira will make any difference to the already established position of Guinea-Bissau and other West African countries as transit points for cocaine trafficking to Europe.

The Government will seek to continue the close bilateral engagement to which they are already committed with the Government of Guinea Bissau on combating drug trafficking.

They will also continue to pursue energetically with European Union partners the commitments made in the conclusions of the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 27 November 2008 ref 15936/08.