HC Deb 16 March 1998 vol 308 c473W
Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the methods by which policy formulation is conducted within his Department. [33934]

Mr. Fatchett

Ministers take policy decisions on the basis of advice from officials. Such advice draws on many sources of information including diplomatic posts, other Governments, and organisations and individuals outside government.