§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what purpose an official of her Department travelled from London to the Linlithgow constituency on 23 February returning on 24 February; what advice the official gave on planning matters; and what contact the official had with Fauldhouse Community Council. [158563]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 4 March 2004]I wrote to my hon. Friend on this matter on 14 March 2004. The official concerned visited Linlithgow constituency over734W the stated period as part of the "week in business" programme, which civil servants in the Department are undertaking to better understand the needs of UK businesses. One of her key developmental objectives whilst visiting WBB Minerals Scottish operations was to gain an understanding of the planning process in relation to her work on industrial minerals. She attended an exhibition in Fauldhouse on 24 February 2004 organised by WBB Minerals at the invitation of the company. She attended purely as an observer and at no point did she try to influence the planning process.