§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the dates since 1 May 1997 when(a) Ministers and (b) officials have met representatives of Westfield. [52164]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 29 April 2002]: Ministers and civil servants meet many people as part of the process of policy development and analysis. All such contacts are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Code and Guidance for Civil Servants: Contacts with Lobbyists. Some of these discussions take place on a confidential basis, and in order to preserve confidentiality, it is not the normal practice of Governments to release details of specific meetings with private individuals or companies.