HC Deb 13 February 1986 vol 91 cc554-5W
Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will state the names, posts and employers of the non-government officials who represent the United Kingdom on the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation planning board for ocean shipping;

(2) if he will state the posts, rank and responsibilities of the officials who represent the United Kingdom on the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation planning board for ocean shipping; how often this committee meets; and where it meets.

Mr. Ridley

The United Kingdom is represented on this planning board by a grade 5 officer, a grade 6 officer and a grade 7 officer from the shipping policy directorate and a grade 5 officer from the directorate of economics of my Department, and by a director and a manager of the General Council of British Shipping. In addition, the director of shipping policy (grade 3) in my Department is one of the two joint chairmen of the board. The planning board meets annually in plenary session alternately in London and Washington.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the posts, ranks and responsibilities of his officials who represent the United Kingdom on the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation planning board for European inland surface transport; how often this committee meets; and where it meets.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The United Kingdom is represented on the planning board for European Inland Surface Transport by the head of the Department's defence planning and emergencies division (grade 6) accompanied by two representatives from the Ministry of Defence. The committee meets twice a year at NATO headquarters, Brussels.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the post, rank and responsibilities of the official who represents the United Kingdom on the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation civil aviation planning committee; how often this committee meets; and where it meets.

Mr. Michael Spicer

The United Kingdom is represented on this committee by the grade 7 head of branch whose responsibilities cover civil aviation aspects of defence planning. The civil aviation planning committee meets twice yearly at HQ NATO Brussels.