Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of forced evictions by the government of Tanzania of indigenous peoples living in Ngorongoro Conservation Area and in the vicinity of Ruaha National Park.

The British High Commission continues to meet with the Government of Tanzania, Maasai community leaders and non-government organisation (NGO) representatives to better understand the challenges faced by all parties and to support an open and constructive dialogue. Those discussions have made clear the complexities of meeting the needs of growing numbers of pastoralists and livestock in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner. An investigation conducted by the World Bank into events in Ruaha is ongoing. We continue to monitor the situation closely and support engagement by the parties involved, including to address any humanitarian issues.