§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Prime Minister (1) what(a) practical and (b) financial support the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and British embassies provided to Lord Levy during his visit to Latin America; and what was the cost of this support, broken down by the principal items of expenditure; [142078]
236W(2) what access Lord Levy has to confidential Government information. [142069]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 11 December 2000]: Lord Levy paid his own travel expenses, including all his air travel.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office arranged programmes and provided briefing. The Embassies in the countries concerned provided practical support such as accommodation and local road transport, the cost of which is not individually itemised. Lord Levy was accompanied by a Foreign and Commonwealth Office official from London throughout his visit.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Prime Minister to which Minister Lord Levy reports. [142073]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 11 December 2000]: Lord Levy reports to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and to me.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Prime Minister what further visits he has asked Lord Levy to undertake in his capacity as the Prime Minister's personal envoy. [142072]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 11 December 2000]: Lord Levy will continue to act as my personal envoy from time to time but at this moment there are no plans for further visits.
§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Prime Minister what are Lord Levy's engagements on his behalf in Latin America. [141395]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 11 December 2000]: Lord Levy visited Mexico, Venezuela, Uruguay, Bolivia and Ecuador between 8–23 November. He met a range of senior figures, including President Zedillo and President-elect Fox in Mexico, President Chavez in Venezuela, President Battle in Uruguay, President Banzer in Bolivia and President Noboa in Ecuador. Lord Levy delivered a personal message from me to each Head of State.
§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Prime Minister (1) on what date the Foreign Secretary was informed of Lord Levy's diplomatic mission to Latin America; [141393]
(2) on what date he decided to send Lord Levy to Latin America. [141394]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 11 December 2000]: The Foreign Secretary proposed earlier this year that Lord Levy should visit Latin America as my personal envoy.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Prime Minister on which occasions during Lord Levy's visit to Latin America he(a) made public statements and (b) talked to foreign media, as a representative of (i) the Prime Minister and (ii) the United Kingdom. [143326]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 18 December 2000]: When travelling abroad as my personal envoy Lord Levy has on occasion spoken to the press.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Prime Minister (1) what the cost to public funds was of Lord Levy's visit to Latin America; what contribution to the costs was made by Lord Levy; and what the purpose was of his visit; [143287]
237W(2) what access Lord Levy has to non-confidential Government information; [143288]
(3) from which officials Lord Levy has received briefings on Latin America. [143325]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 18 December 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her today. Official Report, column 236w.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Prime Minister on what issues Lord Levy has represented the British Government during his visit to Latin America. [143308]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 18 December 2000]: None. Lord Levy travelled as my personal envoy to develop the United Kingdom's bilateral relations with the countries visited.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Prime Minister with whom Lord Levy had unscheduled meetings in his role as personal envoy during his visit to Latin America. [143305]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 18 December 2000]: Nobody.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Prime Minister what authority Lord Levy had to negotiate on behalf of the UK Government during his visit to Latin America. [143306]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 18 December 2000]: Lord Levy travelled as my personal envoy. He was not negotiating.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Prime Minister if Lord Levy has passed messages between Latin American political leaders in his role as the Prime Minister's personal envoy. [143309]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 18 December 2000]: No.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Prime Minister with which Latin American political figures Lord Levy held talks(a) on behalf of the Prime Minister and (b) in pursuit of British interests during his visit to Latin America. [143303]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 18 December 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to her right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) today, Official Report, column 236.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Prime Minister what private business Lord Levy conducted during his visit to Latin America; and what steps he has taken to ensure that no conflict of interest occurred between Lord Levy's business interests and his mission to Latin America as the Prime Minister's envoy. [143289]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 18 December 2000]: Lord Levy does not conduct private business while travelling as my personal envoy. Lord Levy has no business interests in Latin America.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Prime Minister (1) what recent meetings he has had with Lord Levy to discuss Latin America; [143302]
(2) on what dates (a) he, (b) the Foreign Secretary and (c) other Ministers held discussions with Lord Levy about Lord Levy's visit to Latin America; and if he will make available minutes of those meetings. [143310]
238W
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 18 December 2000]: Lord Levy liaises regularly with me, the Foreign Secretary, and other Ministers in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. I have spoken to Lord Levy on a number of occasions as has the Foreign Secretary.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Prime Minister what mechanism exists to ensure information gathered by Lord Levy on his visit to Latin America is communicated to him and to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; and if he will make a statement. [143301]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 18 December 2000]: Lord Levy's visits abroad as my personal envoy are reported to me and the Foreign Secretary in person by Lord Levy and by telegram from Ambassadors in the countries concerned.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Prime Minister what expert knowledge of Latin America Lord Levy has. [143307]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 18 December 2000]: Lord Levy serves a useful role in carrying messages on my behalf to other leaders.