§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) of 28 October 1999,Official Report, column 993, how many meetings between his Department's officials and the Metropolitan Police took place; on what dates; who was present at each meeting; for what reasons no minutes were taken at any of these meetings; if, as a result of these meetings, letters or memos were sent by his Department's officials to the police or vice versa; and who represented the police at these meetings. [97259]
§ Mr. BattleMeetings involving Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials and the Metropolitan Police took place on the following dates this year: 13 July, 27 and 29 July (during the first preparatory visit to the UK of the Chinese officials responsible for the Visit), 6 and 8 September (during the second preparatory visit to the UK of the Chinese officials responsible for the Visit), 23 September, 28 September and 13 October. The number of meetings reflected the programme requirements.
At each meeting, there were representatives from among the following: China Hong Kong Department, Protocol Division and Conference and Visits Group of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Buckingham Palace; Central Area Headquarters, Special Branch, Royalty Protection and Special Escort Group of the Metropolitan Police Service; the Chinese Embassy and visiting Chinese officials; Cambridge University; Cambridgeshire Constabulary; Guildhall; City of London Police; Royal Parks; Royal Parks Police; British Transport Police; Gatwick Airport; Gatwick Airport Police; Sussex Police; Lothian and Borders Police; Royal Air Force; Household 272W Cavalry; Royal Logistic Corps; Ministry of Defence; Railtrack Southern; English, Welsh and Scottish Railway; E. C. Harris company.
Minutes were not taken because the purpose of these meetings was not to take operational decisions, but to go through successive drafts of the programme and discuss new programme proposals. Any outcome of the discussions was subsequently reflected in revised programmes.
No letters or memos were sent by Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials to the police as a result of these meetings, or vice versa.