Mr. A. Cecil Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the cost to Her Majesty's Government of transporting journalists to Hillsborough for the signing of the Anglo-Irish agreement; what other expenses of journalists were met; and whether the Government of the Irish Republic shared in any such costs.
§ Mr. ScottOn the day that the Anglo-Irish agreement was signed, journalists were transported from Belfast international airport to Hillsborough castle and back at a cost of £700 to Her Majesty's Government. 543W Telecommunications facilities and refreshments were provided at Hillsborough. The Irish Government were not asked to contribute towards the cost.