HC Deb 29 March 2000 vol 347 cc169-70W
Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if invitations have been sent to representatives of the Scottish National Party to attend the Tartan Day Reception at the British Ambassador's residence in Washington; who was responsible for drawing up the guest list; and what role the British ambassador had in monitoring and approving the guest list; [116576]

(2) if he will list the hon. Members and Members of the Scottish Parliament who have been invited to attend the Tartan Day Reception at the British Ambassador's residence in Washington; on what date each invitation was sent out; and if he will make a statement; [116584]

(3) if he will order a report from the British Ambassador in Washington on the preparations for Tartan Day in the USA and his discussions with the organising committee regarding the inclusion of Scottish National Party representatives in the organised events; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library. [116583]

Mr. Battle

[holding answer 28 March 2000]: The Ambassador and the Embassy have made clear from the outset that invitations will be sent to all visiting Members of the Scottish Parliament. They have been working with the Tartan Day Committee in the US to organise the reception and to draw up the guest list, which was seen and cleared by the Ambassador. The Ambassador has been in touch with the First Minister, Donald Dewar, and with the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Sir David Steel.

The Embassy has been told that George Reid MSP and Patricia Fergusson MSP, two Deputy Presiding Officers, will be coming to Washington to represent the Scottish Parliament, and that John Swinney MSP and Fiona McLeod MSP will also be attending. All these were immediately sent invitations to the reception. If other Members of the Scottish Parliament are visiting Washington for Tartan Day they might like to get in touch with the Embassy, either direct, through the office of the Presiding Officer, or through the Tartan Day Committee. The Embassy will be delighted to include them in the reception.

In view of the above, a report will not be requested from the Ambassador in Washington on the preparations for Tartan Day.