§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department was represented at the international congress of scientists and engineers on challenges of science and peace in a rapidly changing environment held in Berlin on 29 November to 1 December; and what is his policy towards the attendance at conferences of officials in his Department.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonMinisters and officials attend conferences when they are relevant, and the timings and dates are convenient. No Defence Minister attended the conference in question; nor did any official attend on their behalf.