§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) approximately how many inter-departmental meetings per month officials of his Department are invited to attend in London; and what proportion of the meetings to which they are invited they do not in the event attend;
(2) what inter-departmental meetings in London he has authorised members of his Department not to attend in order to reduce public expenditure.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsNo record of the number of possible attendances is kept. Officials attend meetings in London if participation is considered important for the discharge of the Department's responsibilities. Every effort is made to avoid unnecessary travel expenditure.