§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which heads of state have made visits to the UK over the past five years. [186882]
§ Mr. MullinI have placed a copy of a list from our records of Heads of State who have visited the UK in an#official capacity since 1999 in the Library of the House. In addition the Queen has received some other Heads of State during the course of private visits to this country.
§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which heads of state plan to make visits to the UK over the next five years. [186883]
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§ Mr. MullinPresident Chirac of France is expected to visit the United Kingdom in the autumn and the President of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Roh Moo-hyun, accompanied by Mrs. Roh Moo-hyun, will pay a state visit to the United Kingdom in December.
President Klaus of the Czech Republic arrived in London on 6 September for a two-day visit, and President Iliescu of Romania will arrive on 7 September for a three-day visit Both are visiting as guests of Her Majesty's Government.
In most cases, guest of Government visits by Heads of State are planned only six to eight weeks in advance, sometimes less. For thi# reason I cannot predict which other Heads of State will visit during the next five years.
There are normally two inward state visits per year, one in the spring and one in the autumn. The forward programme of state visits for 2005, and subsequent years has not been finalised.