§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the approximate cost of holiday visit passages paid in respect of(a) children of Foreign Office personnel being educated in the United Kingdom and in receipt of education allowances and (b) members of the Diplomatic Service communications division being educated in the United Kingdom and in receipt of education allowances and of any further travelling expenses paid for the latest available year.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe cost of fares paid to enable children to rejoin their parents overseas during the three school holidays was £977,000, made up as follows:
- (a) FCO £920,000
- (b) Diplomatic Service Communications Division £57,000
In addition, the sum of £51,000 (£48,000 plus £3,000) was spent as a contribution towards the cost of travel between school and airports in the United Kingdom.
These figures include costs of journeys made by children aged 18 to 21 who are in full-time further education and not, therefore, in receipt of education allowances.