§ Mr. McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations his Department has undertaken with non-governmental organisations on the development of the Government's cross-departmental initiative on conflict resolution. [143534]
§ Mr. HoonThe Ministry of Defence has not held formal consultations with non-governmental organisations on the general development of the Government's cross-departmental initiative on conflict prevention. However, we maintain contact with non-governmental organisations and academic institutions in the field of conflict prevention, including peacekeeping. Together with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development, we will be expanding and developing these contacts as the cross-cutting strategy develops.