Mr. Tom Ellisasked the Lord Privy Seal what was the total cost to public funds in the last two financial years of 340W United Kingdom contributions to the Council of Europe Assembly, the Assembly of the Western European Union and the North Atlantic Assembly and of hospitality and other activities for Members of the delegations, their wives and other participants, arranged by Her Majesty's diplomatic representatives abroad in connection with visits, conferences, and so on under the auspices of the three Assemblies or any other official intra-parliamentary visit by hon. Members and parliamentary officials.
§ Mr. HurdI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 6 March to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall).—[Vol. 1000, c. 204.]
Additional information is not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost. I can say, however, that any hospitality offered by Her Majesty's diplomatic representatives abroad would be met from within their existing allowances, and that any other services provided would be at little extra cost to public funds.