§ Mr. Martenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children of EEC staff will benefit from the £20,000 of public money to be spent on their Christmas party; if he will give an assurance that this practice will not be repeated in times of financial stringency; and if he will resist any attempts to harmonise this practice for civil services throughout the EEC.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettThe provision in the Community Budget relates to parties given by the various Community institutions for children of their officials. It is expected that between 5,750 and 6,250 children aged under 13 will attend such parties this year.
It is the Government's policy that, in line with the need for stringency in public expenditure generally, all proposals for Community expenditure should be rigorously examined. There is no proposal for an extension of this practice to national civil services and I would oppose any such proposal as regards the United Kingdom.