§ 24. Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth 991 Affairs how much public money was expended in celebrating Europe Day recently; and how much was expended on celebrating Commonwealth Day on 24th May.
§ Mr. MulleyThe cost to public funds of support for Europe Day was £1,660 15s. The estimated cost of our support for Commonwealth Day, which, in fact, was on 14th June, is £2,500.
§ Mr. FarrI am grateful for that information. Would the right hon. Gentleman confirm that many hon. Members on both sides consider that our existing Commonwealth links are of far more value to us and to the country than any future nebulous links with Europe?
§ Mr. MulleyI do not think that the hon. Gentleman will expect me to express a view in response to a question of that sort. In supporting both these days, Her Majesty's Government are only trying to help them to be celebrated appropriately, because we are in Europe and, of course, also interested in the Commonwealth.
§ Sir G. de FreitasWelcome as this expenditure on the celebration of Europe Day was, is my right hon. Friend aware that many people thought, considering that it was the 20th anniversary, that it was not nearly enough?
§ Mr. MulleyI ought to say that this was the celebration for Europe Day. The cost of the Council of Europe celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the Council of Europe was an additional cost, of approximately £4,800.