HC Deb 12 June 1967 vol 748 c92
48. Mr. A. Royle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the total cost to public funds incurred by overseas visits carried out since October 1964 by the Minister of State, Lord Chalfont.

Mr. George Brown

For the period from October 1964 to September 1966, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my hon. Friend the then Minister of State the Member for Flint, East (Mrs. White) to my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 1st November, 1966. From October 1966, total costs of about £5,740 have been incurred by the many missions my right hon. and noble Friend has led so well.—[Vol. 735, c. 71.]

Mr. Royle

In view of the total failure of Lord Chalfont to achieve anything over the past 2½ years, why is he now being sent to Brussels? Is it a shabby party political manoeuvre at the expense of his right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Park (Mr. Mulley), in order to calm down the opponents of the application to join Europe on his back benches?

Mr. Brown

That well-written supplementary question seems neither relevant to the Question on the Order Paper nor worthy of the hon. Gentleman.

Forward to