§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 30 October,Official Report, column 167, how much of the total cost to his Department arising from visits abroad by members of the royal family in 1995–96 related to clothing. [3204]
§ Mr. Rifkind[holding answer 11 November 1996]: In 1995–96 the total cost to this Department of clothing for official visits overseas by members of the royal family and those accompanying them was £47,452.
As I advised in my answer to the hon. Member on 18 July Official Report, column 610, high profile and worthy representation of Britain abroad inevitably involves additional expenditure on clothes by members of the royal family and certain of those accompanying them.
It is right that such expenditure is met by the Government for official overseas visits undertaken at the Government's request.