HC Deb 29 June 1992 vol 210 cc406-7W
Ms. Quin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contact he has with local authorities, community groups and other organisations in each standard planning region of the United Kingdom prior to the drawing up of the calendar of special events being held in the United Kingdom as part of the programme of the United Kingdom presidency of the EC.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office had regular contact with the Local Government International Bureau which drew attention to the forthcoming presidency and the special events in its newsletter. This was followed by further contacts with a range of local authorities and community groups to take forward ideas for individual special events.

Mr. Leighton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost of producing the pamphlet "The UK Presidency of the European Community".

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

A total of 75,000 copies of the presidency programme booklet are being produced at a total cost of £38,444.60.

Ms. Quin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about how the United Kingdom venues for the calendar of special events being held as part of the United Kingdom's EC presidency were chosen.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The choice of Edinburgh for the European Council was made by the Prime Minister. The venues for other ministerial meetings were chosen by the Departments concerned. Most of the special events are being organised by non-governmental groups and will take place in various parts of the United Kingdom, including Durham, Bolton, Belfast, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.