§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral answer of the Prime Minister of 28 January 1998,Official Report, column 342, what was the expenditure of his Department on entertaining from (a) 1 May 1997 to 1 February 1998 and (b) the equivalent period in 1996–97. [26854]
§ Mr. Fatchett[holding answer 2 February 1998]: The cost of official hospitality given by Foreign and Commonwealth Ministers from 1 May 1997 to 1 February 1998 was £157,850: the cost of such hospitality given from 1 May 1996 to 1 February 1997 was £163,474.