§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has cleared the visit to the United Kingdom of Mr. Paul Hopler or Mr. Clarence Robinson of the Pentagon; and if he will say what the purpose of Mr. Hopler's and Mr. Robinson's visit is.
§ Mr. EggarWe have no knowledge of a joint visit by Mr. Hopler and Mr. Robinson. Mr. Robinson did visit the United Kingdom, but, as my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement pointed out to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 6 March, at column 266, no official approach was made, and no United Kingdom companies were visited. United States officials do not require prior clearance from my right hon. and learned Friend before visiting the United Kingdom, although we would naturally expect them to notify us before making investigations here.