HC Deb 02 May 2001 vol 367 cc643-4W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all visits to the UK since October 1998 by Chilean military officers. [158990]

Mr. Hoon

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: We do not hold records of visits which Chilean military officers may have made to the UK for private purposes. Since October 1998, there have been four official visits to the UK by Chilean military officers which included contact with the UK Government. These are: A Chilean Navy ship visited the UK and made a port call in London in October 1998; A Chilean delegation attended Farnborough international air show in July 2000; A Chilean delegation also visited RAF Cranwell on 31 October 2000; A senior Chilean Naval Officer visited the UK for discussions with Ministry of Defence officials this month.

In addition, since October 1998 four Chilean officers have been present in the UK for various lengths of time attending military training courses.