§ Mr. RandallTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many meetings have been requested with his Department's Ministers by(a) Labour and (b) Conservative hon. Members; and how many meetings have been granted in each category. [31297]
§ Mr. Chris SmithMy Department does not maintain a record of meetings requested by hon. Members, although it is overwhelmingly our general policy to accede to them. I and my ministerial colleagues have had a number of formal meetings with hon. Members, individually and collectively, from all sides of the House. We also make ourselves available for informal discussions in the House and at the Department, personally and by telephone.