To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent representations they have received from the Premier of the British Virgin Islands, Ralph T O'Neal; what reply they have sent; and whether they will take any action as a result. [HL3242]

The Premier of the British Virgin Islands, the honourable Ralph T O'Neal, wrote to my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Gillian Merron, on 20 March 2009 in advance of her visit to the British Virgin Islands in April. He raised a number of issues relating to the good governance of the territory, some of which had been previously discussed during a meeting with my honourable friend following the Overseas Territories Consultative Council in October 2008. My honourable friend's reply answered each point raised in the Premier's letter and offered the opportunity to discuss further during her visit. My honourable friend visited the territory from 7 to 9 April 2009 and met the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition, the Cabinet and members of the House of Assembly. Their discussions covered the public service, good governance issues, and policing and immigration matters.