Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Turcs and Caicos on (a) automatic exchange of beneficial ownership information with HM Revenue and Customs and UK law enforcement agencies and (b) the introduction of a public central register for beneficial ownership.

The Foreign Secretary has not held any discussions with the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands on the systematic exchange of beneficial ownership information with HM Revenue and Customs and UK law enforcement agencies, or on a public central register of beneficial ownership.

Legislation establishing a central register came into force on 26 June. The register is expected to be in place shortly.