§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish his Department's entertainment budget for the last financial year. [17237]
§ Mr. MacShaneTotal worldwide entertainment expenditure in 2000–01 amounted to £11.4 million. Expenditure on entertainment covers a wide range of activities including promotional and trade events, receptions in honour of high level visitors, sustaining contacts with politicians and parliamentarians worldwide and events to establish and cultivate contacts. All are undertaken in pursuit of FCO objectives, both at home and in our posts overseas.
In addition, the FCO administered Government Hospitality Fund drawn upon by all Government Departments when entertaining overseas visitors, spent £1.6 million in 2000–01.