To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made representations to the Brazilian government on public security in shanty towns in Brazil and the effects of lack of security on (a) children and (b) other residents.

The Government have been funding activities by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) specializing in security sector reform in "favelas" or shanty towns. As part of this, they have worked with police to train them in community policing methods and with educational institutions for children.

My noble Friend the then Leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Amos, and the then Minister for Latin America, my right hon. Friend Dr. Howells visited favelas during their visits to Brazil in 2006 and 2007 respectively. They discussed conditions, including security, with the local government, local communities and NGOs.

We also work with other EU embassies on a regular dialogue with Brazil on the full range of human rights issues and will have the opportunity to feed in views at the 8 June 2009 EU-Brazil Human Rights dialogue.