Ministers and civil servants meet a large number of people and groups in the course of their official duties. Cabinet, Cabinet Committee and parliamentary commitments of Ministers are already in the public domain. Details of all Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Ministers' meetings with external interest groups for the period the right hon. Member has specified follow. However, it is not standard practice for Ministers to disclose details of internal meetings and meetings with foreign governments and international organisations as this may prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs and formulation of Government policy.
Secretary of State
6 March—Labour Friends of Israel (to discuss Israel and related matters).
14 March—FCO employee trade unions (to discuss FCO/union issues).
29 March—Amicus and T and G (to discuss Colombia).
Minister for Europe (Mr. Hoon)
12 March—Eurostar (to discuss new East Midlands link to Europe).
21 March—Trade Union Congress (to discuss Europe issues).
Minister for the Middle East (Dr. Howells)
8 March—president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) (to
discuss ICRC's work in the Middle East).
12 March—chairman and representatives of the Zionist Federation (to discuss the Zionist Federation's plans for commemorating the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel).
14 March—director of International Operations, Save the Children (to discuss Save the Children's work in the middle east, south Asia and Afghanistan).
Minister for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs (Mr. McCartney)
1 March—Black Country Metals—plans for UK trade and investment engineering sector.
1 March—Great Britain China Centre—Human Rights Project Work.
6 March—Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA)—ROSPA's current work and relationship with the Department of Trade and Industry.
6 March—TrustMark—Promotion of the TrustMark consumer work.
7 March—China Britain Business Council—introductory meeting.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Lord Triesman of Tottenham)
22 March—speech—The Politics and Economics Society of St. Paul's School.
22 March—meeting with members of the National Executive Committee to discuss Columbia.