§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department met the Metropolitan police to discuss the security arrangements for the State Visit of Emperor Akihito of Japan in May 1998. [121718]
§ Mr. BattleMeetings involving Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials and the police in advance of the State Visit by the Emperor of Japan were held on the following dates: 15, 26 and 29 January and 6 and 8 February 1998. The purpose of these meetings was not to take operational decisions, but to go through successive drafts of the programme and discuss new programme proposals.
§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will release the minutes of discussions his Department held about the security arrangements which were taken for the State Visit of Emperor Akihito of Japan in May 1998. [121719]
§ Mr. BattleMinutes were not taken because the purpose of these meetings was not to take operational decisions, but to go through successive drafts of the programme and discuss new programme proposals. Any outcome of the discussions was subsequently reflected in revised programmes.