HC Deb 13 November 1979 vol 973 c520W
Mr. Brotherton

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the total amount of public funds that have been paid to members of the Patriotic Front since their arrival in Great Britain for the Lancaster House talks; on what items these funds were spent; whether receipts have been produced in return for funds received; and what auditing procedure he intends to initiate to ensure that the funds were properly spent.

Mr. Luce

Up to 10 November expenditure in connection with Mr. Mugabe and Mr. Nkomo's delegation amounted to £110,817.

Mr. Nkomo and nine others are staying at hotels where their room charges are paid by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Mr. Mugabe and nine others are now living in flats rented by the delegation to whom a pro rata payment, based on the rental costs, is paid in lieu of hotel accommodation. In addition there is a non-accountable subsistence allowance of £25 a day for each of the official representatives.

Return air fares to and from London are also being paid by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Receipts are obtained for all payments made by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the accounts will be subject to normal audit procedures.

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