Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 3 to Minister, 17 April

I seek leave to make a personal explanation under Standing Order 354 to correct an answer to question No. 3 on 17 April this year.

Leave is sought for that personal explanation. Is there any objection? There appears to be none.

In making my answer to question No. 3 on 17 April, I said that after the dinner in Beijing on 20 October 2013, I went to bed. When Mr Robertson then asked me whether I had had discussions with the ambassador after the dinner, I said I could not recall any discussions. I now realise that although Mr Robertson’s question referenced the time after the dinner, he could have meant at any time after the dinner, not just on the evening of the dinner. For the avoidance of doubt, I want to clarify to the House that on the day following the dinner, I told the ambassador that the dinner was very nice but very short. I also told him that nothing had occurred that was untoward or that he needed to know about. I am drawing this to the notice of the House at the earliest opportunity available to me.