§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on which dates Lord Levy has had meetings with(a) Ministers and (b) senior officials in his Department since 1 May 1997, giving in each case the purpose of the meetings; and if he will make a statement. [113503]
§ Mr. Hoon[holding answer 7 March 2000]: Lord Levy had an office call with the Secretary of State for Defence on Thursday 28 October 1999.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has met Lord Levy on four occasions. On 25 March 1999 Lord Levy made an office call on CDS in the Ministry of Defence for general discussion on the Middle East. During the period 3-7 September 1999, Lord Levy assisted CDS during his representational visit to Israel, and on 20 October 1999 he came to the Ministry of Defence to discuss the Middle East. On 22 February this year, CDS called on Lord Levy at the House of Lords to discuss the Middle East prior to Lord Levy's visits there, and CDS' visit to Bahrain.
The Chief of Defence Intelligence had a short informal meeting with Lord Levy on 25 March 1999. At his request, Lord Levy was briefed on the situation in Syria prior to a visit to the area.