Mr David Hart

Dr. David Clark
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he appointed Mr. David Hart as his independent advisor. [37888]

Mr. Portillo
I invited Mr. Hart to continue as an unpaid independent adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence when I took up my appointment.

Dr. Clark
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what current procurement contracts Mr. David Hart provides advice. [37887]

Mr. Portillo
Mr. David Hart is currently providing advice to me on the following equipment projects EF 2000ASTORPhoneixTornado F3 upgradeLong Range Conventionally Armed Stand Off Missile

Dr. Clark
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Mr. David Hart provides advice on procurement decisions. [37803]

Mr. Portillo
I have invited Mr. Hart to provide advice on a small number of procurement issues.

Dr. Clark
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Mr. David Hart was given security clearance for work in his Department; if he holds a Ministry of Defence pass; and what access he has to classified MOD papers. [37801]

Mr. Portillo
Following his appointment as an unpaid independent adviser by the former Secretary of State for Defence, Mr. Hart was subject to the checks necessary to permit him to have, from time to time, access to classified information. He holds a Ministry of Defence pass.

Dr. Clark
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Mr. David Hart has (a) an office and (b) a secretary within his Department's main building. [37891]

Mr. Portillo
No. The limited administrative support so far required to enable him to fulfil his role has been provided on a "de minimis" basis.

Dr. Clark
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assurances have been requested from Mr. David Hart concerning his access to confidential information relating to the British defence industry. [37886]

Mr. Portillo
Mr. Hart fully accepts his duty to the Crown to safeguard all information, documents, or other articles given to him by the MOD; and knows that, like any other individual, he is subject to provisions of the Official Secrets Act 1989. In addition, he owes me a personal duty of confidence.Mr. Hart also knows that he must declare any conflict between his private interests and his role as my independent adviser, so that I could then decide how to proceed.

Dr. Clark
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what capacity Mr. David Hart attends departmental meetings. [37802]

Mr. Portillo
As my unpaid independent adviser.

Dr. Clark
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with Mr. David Hart concerning the situation in the former Yugoslavia. [37892]

Mr. Portillo
I have discussed various aspects of the situation in the former Yugoslavia with Mr. Hart. -----------
|         |
-----------
|         |
-----------
|January  |
-----------
|February |
-----------
|March    |
-----------
|April    |
-----------
|May      |
-----------
|June     |
-----------
|July     |
-----------
|August   |
-----------
|September|
-----------
|October  |
-----------
|November |
-----------
|December |
-----------