Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to strengthen the UK's diplomatic relationship with Tanzania.

We have enjoyed good relations with the United Republic of Tanzania since its independence in the 1960s. A range of Whitehall Departments, including Department for International Development (DFID) are represented in our High Commission in Dar es Salaam covering the broad range of interests we share with the Government of Tanzania. Tanzania is one of the largest recipients of British Overseas Development Aid (around £150m per annum).

In a sign of our deep and long-term relationship with Africa, we are increasing the British diplomatic presence in sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania, so we can develop more effective partnerships and achieve our mutual goals. And finally the appointment of the Hon Member for Romford as the Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Tanzania will only serve to cement further our bilateral relationship.