Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Tuesday, 3 February 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 6 February 1998. It was answered by Doug Henderson (Labour) on Friday, 6 February 1998 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will comment on the nature and format of the Friends of the Presidency Group; when that body was founded; who were its members on 27th June; and what is its present make-up and mandate.

Answer: Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the nature and format of the Friends of the Presidency Group; when that body was founded; who were its members on 27 June; and what is its present make-up and mandate. [28194] Mr. Doug Henderson: In the context of the Intergovernmental Conference, the term "Friends of the Presidency" referred not to a formal group of representatives of member states but to informal, ad hoc meetings of officials convened to assist the work of the group of Personal Representatives. Such meetings took place on a number of occasions during the Intergovernmental Conference. The meeting on 27 June was attended by officials from the FCO and the United Kingdom Permanent Representation.

Secondary information