Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assistance they are providing Philip Blackwood, who is imprisoned in Burma.

The New Zealand Embassy in Burma is leading on providing consular assistance to Mr Blackwood as he travelled to Burma on his New Zealand passport. They have been in contact with his family who are resident in New Zealand.

Our Embassy in Rangoon has provided advice and support to the New Zealand Embassy on Mr Blackwood’s case and we will continue to discuss with them what further assistance we can provide. We have raised the case with the Burmese authorities and made them aware of our interest in Mr Blackwood’s welfare.