§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much is spent each year from Government sources in maintaining contact between NATO parliamentarians in conferences, meetings and exchange visits.
§ Mr. EnnalsHer Majesty's Government contribute 19.5 per cent. of the budget of the North Atlantic Assembly, which is an unofficial assembly of parliamentarians from NATO member countries. In the financial year 1974–75 Her Majesty's Government's share amounted to £42,250 and was borne on the FCO vote. The budget of the NAA meets the costs of the Assembly secretariat and of Assembly activities. It does not meet the expenses of British parliamentarians attending NAA meetings, which are borne on the Votes of the House of Lords or the House of Commons.
The FCO also sponsors visits to the United Kingdom by parliamentarians from other countries, including NATO member countries. In 1975, 17 NATO 34W parliamentarians visited the United Kingdom under this scheme, at a total cost to Her Majesty's Government of £4,895.