HC Deb 28 February 2002 vol 380 cc1451-2W
Mr. Chope

To ask the Prime Minister, (1) pursuant to his answer of 25 February 2002, Ref 36802,Official Report, column 701W, under what provision of the Code of Practice on Access to Government information he has declined to say on how many occasions in the past two years he has written to foreign Governments about the award of contracts to companies with British interests. [39032]

(2) on how many occasions in the past two years he has written to the Prime Minister of Romania about the award of contracts to companies with British interests. [39039]

The Prime Minister

I have nothing further to add to my previous answer for the reasons I explained. It is not normal practice to release letters from the Prime Minister to another Head of Government under exemption 1(b) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Exemption 13 of the Code also applies with regard to commercial confidentiality.

Adam Price

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will name the person or persons responsible for drafting the letter to the Romanian Prime Minister regarding LNM-Ispat International's contract for the SIDEX steel plant; [39041]

(2) how many drafts were made of the letter to the Romanian Prime Minister, Adrian Nastasi, regarding LNMI-spat International's contract for the SIDEX steel plant; [39042]

(3) on whose advice and authority the letter to the Romanian Prime Minister regarding LNM-Ispat International's contract for the SIDEX steel plant was (a) drafted, (b) signed and (c) sent. [39040]

The Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him and the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) on 14 February 2002,Official Report, columns 610-11W.

Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Prime Minister on behalf of how many companies(a) in the United Kingdom, (b) on the Isle of Wight and (c) in Leicestershire he has written to overseas leaders seeking support for investment contracts since 1997. [39333]

The Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him and the hon. Member for East Carmarthen and Dinefwr (Adam Price) on Thursday 14 February,Official Report, columns 610–11W.