Mr. Tom Ellisasked the Lord Privy Seal what was the cost in the last two financial years of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Central Office of Information visitors' programme in the United Kingdom; and what was the number of visitors received.
§ Mr. BlakerFigures for the sponsored visitors' scheme run by the Central Office of Information on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the last two completed financial years are as follows:
1978–79—1,511 visitors at a cost of £1,310,900
1979–80—1,538 visitors at a cost of £1,461,650.
These figures include, where appropriate, fares to and from the countries concerned, accommodation, transport: and interpreting, but exclude the cost of Foreign and Commonwealth Office permanent staff involved in the administration of the scheme.