§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Prime Minister what restrictions apply to the undertaking of private business by Lord Levy while acting as his personal envoy on visits overseas. [110242]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 15 February 2000]: Lord Levy does not conduct private business while travelling as my personal envoy. Lord Levy paid his own travel expenses. The FCO and Embassies provided practical support, the cost of which is not separately itemised.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Prime Minister if he will list the visits undertaken by Lord Levy as his personal envoy, indicating in each case the(a) dates, (b) destinations, (c) cost to public funds and (d) purpose of the visits. [110240]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 15 February 2000]: Lord Levy has made the following visits as my personal envoy:
1999
- 9–10 April: Syria
- 5–7 June: Jordan
- 7–10 June: Syria
- 9–11 October: Oman
- 11–2 October: Qatar
- 12–14 October: Bahrain
- 29 November-1 December: Syria
2000
- 2–3 February: Syria
- 3 February: Lebanon.
Lord Levy made calls in Egypt on 8 October 1999 en route for Oman, and on 3 February 2000 while returning from Lebanon.
Lord Levy also frequently visits Israel in a personal capacity and has on occasions had discussions there in the furtherance of my support for the peace process.
The purpose of Lord Levy's visits was to develop the United Kingdom's bilateral relationships with the countries visited, and to exchange views on key regional issues, including the Middle East Peace Process.
Lord Levy paid his own travel expenses. The FCO and Embassies provided practical support, the cost of which is not separately itemised.