§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions 577W Ministers from his Department have debriefed ambassadors from British business; if such ambassadors are required to declare this position in meetings with foreign representatives of Government; if Government policy is discussed; and if he will make a statement. [89821]
§ Mr. HoonThe Ambassadors for British Business attended a working meeting with Ministers in July 1998.
When making appointments for the Ambassadors for British Business our overseas posts make clear to interlocutors their status.
The Ambassadors for British Business are provided with briefing on British government policy for them to use as they feel appropriate. They are, however, free to express their own views during their Ambassador for British Business engagements. The objective of their role is to promote the UK's wider British Commercial interests drawing on their own experience and expertise.