HC Deb 18 June 1991 vol 193 cc120-1W
Mr. O'Hara

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the purpose of his recent visit to Japan; what was the composition of his entourage; and if he will break down the costs of transport, accommodation, subsistence and other associated costs.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The purpose of my visit was to see at first hand the strengths and weaknesses of the Japanese education system. I was accompanied by a departmental private secretary, a senior official of my department, and my Parliamentary Private Secretary. The breakdown of the costs of the visit are as follows: —Transport to Japan and within Japan: £23,760. —Accommodation and subsistence in the British Embassy and in hotels: £2,322. —Other costs, including interpreters and telephone calls on official business: £3,659.