§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will break up the estimated cost of £3,700 for his 23-day visit to various countries in the Commonwealth, accompanied by four officials, giving the estimated costs for transport, hotel expenses, and entertainment; and why, on such a visit he had four officials accompanying him, in view of the Government's requests for financial economy.
§ Mr. George ThomasThe breakdown of costs for the visit is four first-class fares at £780 10s. and one economy class fare at £480 14s., totalling £3,482 14s.
Members of the party will in the main be accommodated by officials at the 382W posts concerned. In this case, one-third of normal subsistence will be payable, amounting to a total estimated at approximately £200. No local transport or entertainment costs are foreseen.
The Commonwealth Secretary will be visiting six countries; he will be accompanied by two Under-Secretaries who are concerned with the areas of the world which he will be visiting, a Private Secretary and a typist. This is the minimum number compatible with the needs of efficiency.