§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on what dates Ministers in his Department plan to be absent from the office in 1999; [89615]
(2) if he will list the overseas visits proposed for (a) himself and (b) Ministers in his Department between 1 July and 1 December. [89614]
§ Mr. Robin Cook[holding answer 2 July 1999]It is not possible to provide a definitive list as my visits programme is under constant review, but during the period 1 July-1 December 1999 I expect, on present plans, to make a number of visits to Finland, Brussels and Luxembourg on European Union business. I intend to visit New York for the United Nations General Assembly. I will be in attendance upon Her Majesty The Queen 465W during her State Visit to Ghana and Mozambique. I will visit South Africa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.
I, and Ministers in my Department, will also undertake a number of bilateral visits. Our bilateral programme is currently under consideration, but I am already committed to visit Estonia in July and Japan in September.