HC Deb 21 May 2002 vol 386 c256W
Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the criteria are for meeting a British ambassador or commercial secretary by business people seeking endorsements in relation to commercial contracts. [37726]

Mr. Straw

It is part of every ambassador and commercial secretary's job to promote UK commercial interests. In determining whether to meet business figures seeking endorsements in relation to commercial contracts, diplomatic staff are expected to consider the benefit to the UK, including the effect on British commercial, economic and foreign policy interests.