§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent the costs of the "Your Britain Your Europe" campaign and the tour of the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz), of the UK are being met from public funds. [100319]
§ Mr. VazThe costs of the "Your Britain Your Europe" Roadshow are estimated at £60,000, plus travel and accommodation.
It is Government policy to set out the benefits of the UK's membership of the EU. One of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's publicly declared performance targets is:
a step change in the UK's relations with the rest of Europe, with increasing public support for EU activities".The Roadshow is excellent value for money, with 23 events in 11 cities in five days. We are working with a number of business, educational and other organisations which are providing their time and resources free of charge.