To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions (a) he, (b) other Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in the British High Commission in Sri Lanka have had with the Government of Sri Lanka on the (i) independence and (ii) credibility of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission.

During the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister's visit to the UK on 19-20 October, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I raised the importance of ensuring the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission is open and transparent and that it should work with the UN Secretary General's Panel of three Experts. Our High Commission in Colombo has regularly raised the issue in their discussions with the Sri Lankan Government and we will continue to continue to closely monitor its progress given the need for an independent and credible process.