HC Deb 28 October 1999 vol 336 cc993-4W
Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings concerning the security and policing arrangements for the visit of President Jiang Zemin were held between his Department and the Metropolitan Police; who attended those meetings; what advice and guidance on security arrangements and the policing of possible demonstrations his Department offered at those meetings; and if he will publish the minutes of the meetings. [96113]

Mr. Battle

Officials of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and representatives of the Police discussed the security and policing arrangements for the Chinese State Visit on a number of occasions between July and October. Minutes were not taken. Such discussions and meetings are a standard part of preparation for State Visits, to take the police through the proposed programme to enable them to make their operational decisions. These meetings involved officials from the Foreign Office and representatives of the police services concerned. Officials from Buckingham Palace, representatives of the Chinese Embassy and organisers of individual events attended as appropriate.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials and the Metropolitan Police discussed the proposed programme for the State Visit and the concerns of the Chinese authorities about the possible impact of demonstrations on the visit. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials reported to the police that they had told the Chinese authorities that demonstrations should be expected and that the Chinese should accept that the policing of the visit was a matter for the police's operational judgment. Ministers were consulted only on the arrangements for the welcoming ceremony on Horse Guards Parade and they expressed the view that it should take the same form as on previous State Visits.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which members of his Department's staff were present outside the Cambridge University Library for the arrival of the President of China; and what representations these staff made to the police about their handling of public demonstrations. [96234]

Mr. Battle

In accordance with standard practice for State Visits, Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials from the China Hong Kong Department, Protocol Division and Conference and Visits Group were present at Cambridge University Library to liaise between the Chinese authorities and Cambridgeshire Constabulary on the basis of the discussions referred to in my answer of today to my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd).

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department made to Cambridgeshire Constabulary about the policing of the state visit by the President of China. [96232]

Mr. Battle

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) at column993.

There were routine meetings to go through the programme during the preparations for the State Visit, so that Cambridgeshire Constabulary could make their operational decisions.

Mr. Maples

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions(a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department (i) met and (ii) communicated with Commander Mick Messenger in connection with the Chinese President's visit to London. [96117]

Mr. Battle

There were no meetings or discussions with Commander Mick Messenger.

Mr. Maples

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what involvement(a) Ministers, (b) officials from his Department had in the dialogue between the Home Office and the Metropolitan Police in connection with policing of the Chinese President's visit to London. [96116]

Mr. Battle

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) on 25 October 1999,Official Report, column 685-86.

Mr. Maples

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations were made by Ministers or officials in his Department to(a) Ministers or officials in the Home Office and (b) the Metropolitan Police regarding policing of the Chinese President's visit to London. [96115]

Mr. Battle

(a) None. (b) I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) today.