To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent (a) meetings and (b) discussions Ministers in his Department have had with Golden Arrow Communications; and if he will make a statement. (130791)

Since 2005, Ministers have attended two events organised by Golden Arrow Communications.

As part of the consultations on the Department’s review of ports policy, the Minister of State accompanied by officials attended a lunch on 18 July 2006 to hear the views of ports and shipping interests.

On 21 February 2007 both Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State attended a parliamentary reception at which one spoke about the Government’s broad transport priorities.

In addition Ministers have attended conferences, receptions and other such events not organised by Golden Arrow Communications but at which individuals employed by them may have been present. No record is kept of such encounters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what meetings (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have held with Golden Arrow Communications since 2005. (129825)

[holding answer 26 March 2007]: Since 2005, Ministers and officials have attended several events organised by Golden Arrow Communications.

An official gave an introductory address about the Department’s review of ports policy at a seminar on 5 July 2006. As part of the consultations on that review, the Minister of State accompanied by officials attended a lunch on 18 July 2006 to hear the views of ports and shipping interests.

On 21 February 2007 both Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State attended a parliamentary reception at which one spoke about the Government’s broad transport priorities.

In addition Ministers and officials have attended conferences, receptions and other such events not organised by Golden Arrow Communications but at which individuals employed by them may have been present. No record is kept of such encounters.