Mr. Dalyellasked the Prime Minister in what circumstances, and subject to what conditions, persons other than officials or Ministers may act as intermediaries in negotiations with foreign Governments; and on what occasions such unofficial contacts have been used since 1 March 1982.
§ The Prime MinisterIt may sometimes be helpful to use private contacts to make progress in negotiations, but each case has to be assessed on its merits. Since any such contacts are essentially private and unofficial, details cannot be published.