HC Deb 19 July 1999 vol 335 cc426-7W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) the occasions on which the GOC Northern Ireland has met military officers of foreign countries, (b) the occasions on which senior officers have attended social gatherings and receptions for foreign military delegations and (c) the cost of entertainments for overseas delegations and visitors since 1 May 1997. [89913]

Mr. Doug Henderson

[holding answer 12 July 1999]: Records of the General Officer Commanding's (GOC's) meetings from 1 May 1997 to the end of March 1998 are not available. The GOC NI has met military officers of foreign countries on the following occasions since 1 April 1998:

1 April 1998 Dinner for visiting members of the Royal College of Defence Studies in Northern Ireland. Overall cost: £390.98

6 May 1998 Presentation to the Royal College of Defence Studies in England. Cost: £59.30.

18 June 1998 Presentation to the Joint Senior Command Staff College in England. Cost of refreshments (tea/coffee only) borne by individual students.

24 March 1999 Dinner for visiting members of the Royal College of Defence Studies in Northern Ireland. Cost: estimated at £360—invoice not yet received.

4 June 1999 Presentation to the Joint Senior Command Staff College in England. Cost of refreshments (tea/coffee only) borne by individual students.

Other British senior military officers also attended the dinners with the Royal College of Defence Studies.