Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Peruvian counterpart on reports of violence and vandalism following protests in that country on 19 January.

The UK Ambassador and members of his team in Lima hold regular discussions with the Peruvian Government and have used these meetings to raise concerns about the violence seen in Peru following the change of government in December. Bearing in mind the deaths of protestors and injuries to both police and protestors, we have been clear how important we consider it to be that the Peruvian authorities should do all they can to protect lives. I [Minister Rutley] discussed our concerns in my recent meeting with the Peruvian Ambassador, as did our trade minister when he met with the Peruvian Minister of Finance.