Meetings with Foreign Governments Inside and Outside the EU

HL Deb 11 March 1999 vol 598 cc46-7WA

Viscount Waverley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

1. (a) which heads of government, foreign or trade Ministers from outside the European Union have since 1 May 1997 requested through their High Commissioners or Ambassadors a meeting with the Prime Minister, a Secretary of State or a Minister;
2. (b) what such meetings have taken place; and
3. (C) what further such meetings have been arranged;

giving in each case in (b) and (c) the date of the meeting and the British Minister involved. [HL1313]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The Government have received, and continue to receive, regular visits from heads of government, foreign, trade and other Ministers from outside the European Union. No central record of such visits is kept. Nor is a central record kept of requests for meetings.

It is the Government's policy to maintain good relations and a dialogue with all countries and we are conscious that our relationships with members of the European Union should not be to the detriment of relations with countries outside the Union.