Written question asked by Lord Howard of Lympne (Conservative) on Wednesday, 28 April 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 4 May 2004. It was answered by Tony Blair (Labour) on Tuesday, 4 May 2004 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his Statement on Iraq and the Middle East Peace Process, of 19th April 2004, 420 c21-23, whether he urged President Bush that the Quartet should be involved in further decisions affecting the peace process rather than for such decisions to be decided bilaterally between the United States and Israel; pursuant to his Statement on Iraq and the Middle East peace process, of 19th April, Official Report, columns 21-23, what representations he made to President Bush before the President announced his endorsement of Prime Minister Sharon's plans. - Inc ref to exemption 1(b) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Answer: Mr. Howard: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his statement on Iraq and the Middle East Peace Process, of 19 April 2004, Official Report, columns 21-23, (1) whether he urged President Bush that the Quartet should be involved in further decisions affecting the peace process rather than for such decisions to be decided bilaterally between the United States and Israel; [170575] (2) what representations he made to President Bush before the President announced his endorsement of Prime Minister Sharon's plans. [170576] The Prime Minister: I regularly have discussions with President Bush on a wide range of issues, including the Middle East Peace Process. As with previous Administrations it is not the practice of this Government to make public all details of discussions with foreign Governments under exemption l(b) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. I have made clear my view that the Quartet--which is meeting at Principals level in New York today--must lead the international community's efforts to take forward the Middle East Peace Process through the Roadmap. I hope that today's meeting will see the Quartet playing that role fully.

Secondary information