§ Mr. TrendTo ask the Prime Minister what has been the total cost to the Government of hosting the presidency of the EU, including the cost of publicity for each Government department, broken down by department and item. [48082]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 30 June 1998]: The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Final bills for FCO-led Presidency events (including the European Council) are not in. On current projections, the outturn will be within the figure given in a reply by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, North (Mr. Henderson) to the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath) on 27 February 1998, Official Report, column 386.