§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 24 November 1997,Official Report, column 369, if he will publish the minutes of his meeting with Lord Sainsbury on 20 October. [18200]
§ Mr. PrescottIn accordance with normal and longstanding practice observed by previous Governments as well as this, I do not intend to publish detailed records of my meetings. However, in my previous answer of 24 November 1997,Official Report, column 369, I gave a summary of the issues discussed at my meeting with Lord Sainsbury on 20 October.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met Lord MacLaurin in an official capacity; and what subjects were discussed. [18202]
§ Mr. PrescottI have not met Lord MacLaurin in my official capacity. However my hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning met Terry Leahy of Tesco on 31 July. He has also met several other leading retailers who have requested a meeting—in line with the practice of the previous Government.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met the Chairman of Safeway plc in an official capacity; and what subjects were discussed. [18201]
§ Mr. PrescottI have received no request from the Chairman of Safeway plc for a meeting and I have not therefore met him in my official capacity. Nor have I met him personally with any other major retailers, including the Chairman of Asda, the hon. Member for Tunbridge Wells (Mr. Norman).