§ Norman LambTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his Answers of 5 December 2002, Official Report, columns 954–5W and 962W what discussions his Department had with Andrew Smith; when and where these took place; who attended each meeting; and what telephone discussions officials have had with Mr. Smith. [87233]
§ Mr. RammellIn addition to the meeting referred to in my previous answer (UIN 82998 and UIN 83034 of 5 December 2002), Andrew Smith has had minimal contact with the British High Commission in Sierra Leone, regarding Sierra National Airlines (SNA). Mr. Smith is a Director of West Africa Airways which, until October 2002, held the contract for managing the services of SNA. He has telephoned the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on a few occasions. These discussions were held in confidence. British officials did not at any time encourage, support or promote Mr. Smith's activities in Zimbabwe and the DRC.
I am withholding details of who was present at these meetings, and further details of what was discussed, including in telephone calls under exemption 1b of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (Information which would harm the conduct of international relations or affairs) and exemption 14b (information the disclosure of which without the consent of the supplier would prejudice the future supply of such information).