Olympic Games 2012
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

Douglas Alexander (Paisley and Renfrewshire South, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has to make use of the opportunity of world leaders and senior politicians attending the 2012 Olympics to pursue his goals of diplomacy; and if he will make a statement.

William Hague (Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; Richmond (Yorks), Conservative)

Heads of State and Government are invited to attend the London Olympic and Paralympic games by their National Olympic and Paralympic Committees. It is not yet clear which Heads of State and Government will attend since many will defer finalising their plans until closer to the time. For planning purposes we are using figures based on extrapolation from attendance at previous games.

The Olympic and Paralympic games are first and foremost a festival of sport and a celebration of human sporting endeavour. But we welcome the opportunity that the games present to demonstrate Britain's qualities to the world and will work to ensure that those that visit us have the best possible experience of their time here. We hope that stronger bilateral relationships will be part of the legacy of the games.