§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the findings of the Olympic Advisory Group on security planning, intelligence exchanges and security training in Athens. [HL2901]
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)The UK is one member of the Olympic Advisory Group, which was set up in 2000 at the request of the Greek Government, to advise on an ongoing basis on security preparations for the Olympic Games. The other members are the US, Australia, France, Spain, Germany and Israel.
The UK, on a national basis, is satisfied that Greece is working hard towards the goal of ensuring that the Games take place in a safe and secure environment and that Greece will continue to do so in the time remaining before the Games start and for the duration of the Games themselves.
For reasons I am sure will be appreciated, we do not comment in detail on security matters or on the work and advice of the group. I am therefore withholding this information under Exemption 1(a) of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which covers information whose disclosure would harm national security.