Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent meetings he has had with representatives of the Cuban government.

I visited Cuba from 29 October to 1 November and met Cuban Vice-President Cabrisas, Foreign Minister Rodriguez and Trade and Investment Minister Malmierca. I also met the Cuban Deputy Ministers for agriculture, energy, trade and investment, tourism, health and foreign affairs. In my meetings, I discussed our bilateral relationship, including issues related to trade and investment, foreign affairs, human rights, tourism and co-operation in the fight against Ebola. I also signed three Memoranda of Understanding with the Cuban Government, covering foreign policy, trade and investment and sport. I agreed that a British trade delegation should visit Cuba later this year to explore opportunities for foreign investors to help with Cuba’s economic development.