Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has made to authorities in Bangladesh on the relocation of Rohingya refugees to the Cox's Bazar area.

The UK is deeply concerned for the welfare of the Rohingya community in Burma. When meeting with members of the Bangladesh government during my visit to Dhaka from 2 to 4 March, I welcomed the humanitarian assistance provided by Bangladesh to the Rohingya people and discussed how the UK and Bangladesh can work together to encourage a durable solution in Burma. I also received a briefing on the situation with the Rohingya refuges from UN agencies working on the ground in the Cox's Bazar area.

The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my noble Friend, the Rt Hon. the Baroness Anelay of St Johns discussed the issue of Rohingya refugees when she met with the Bangladesh High Commissioner in February. I also raised the matter with the Bangladesh High Commissioner in November.