asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he has, (b) other Ministers have and (c) his officials have had in the last 12 months with (i) Ministers and officials representing the Government of the Republic of Ireland and (ii) Ministers and officials representing the member Governments of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, concerning the inclusion of the Republic of Ireland in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; and if he will make a statement.

No. Neither my right hon. Friend nor other Ministers, not officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, have been involved in any such discussions.