Ministers' Enron meetings

Enron is said to have given financial backing to Labour

In an effort to diffuse criticism over the government's links with collapsed US energy giant Enron, Downing Street has released a detailed timetable of ministerial contacts with the company.

In total, ministers had seven meetings with Enron executives:

• April 28, 1998 - Industry minister John Battle meets Kenneth Lay, Enron chairman and chief executive

• September 23, 1998 - Trade Secretary Peter Mandelson and John Battle meet representatives of Enron, Mobil, Sweb, Esso and Alstom UK to discuss issues arising from the government's Green Paper on energy, which proposes a moratorium on building gas-fired power stations

• May 26, 1999 - Trade Secretary Stephen Byers meets Enron representatives

• February 9, 2000 - Industry Minister Helen Liddell meets Enron representatives to discuss issues in relation to coal transportation

• February 29, 2000 - Mr Byers opens Enron Europe HQ

• April 13, 2000 - Ms Liddell has further meeting with Enron relating to coal transportation, with other coal companies present

• October 5, 2000 - Ms Liddell visits HQ of Enron Europe - no further details of visit given