§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Prime Minister what was the purpose of her visit to Australia in 1988.
§ The Prime MinisterI visited Australia at the invitation of the Australian Prime Minister, Mr. Hawke, to mark Australia's bicentenary, to open British day of Expo 88 and to hold discussions with members of the federal and state governments.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Prime Minister (1) what was the total cost for maintaining contact with the United Kingdom when she was visiting Australia and other countries in August 1988; and how many officials were involved at(a) home and (b) abroad;
(2) what was the total cost to public funds of her visit to Australia and other countries in August 1988; how many officials accompanied her; and what were their functions.
§ The Prime MinisterIt is too soon after my visit to Australia and the middle and far east to be able to give detailed information on the cost to public funds. A provisional estimate of the total cost of the visit, including communications with the United Kingdom is £174,000.
I was accompanied on the visit by three officials and 11 support staff including two communications officers. A third communications officer was temporarily moved from Hong Kong to Canberra for five days to assist with the 852W increase in messages. All other staff involved with communications handled telephone calls and messages as part of their normal duties.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Prime Minister how many journalists accompanied her in officially provided transport on her visit to Australia and other countries in August 1988; which organisations they represented; and what was the cost charged to each journalist.
§ The Prime MinisterThere were places for 15 journalists in the official aircraft. All were taken by representatives of newspapers and radio and television organisations. Each journalist was charged £1,750 for the whole tour.