§ The Secretary of State has asked the Fire Service College to write to you directly in reply to your Parliamentary Question about the cost to the Exchequer of the fact finding visits which the Commandant Chief Executive and the Deputy Commandant have made during the last twelve months. I am replying on the Commandant Chief Executive's behalf because he is currently on holiday.
§ There has been no cost to the Exchequer arising from these visits since April because the College now operates as a trading fund. We cover our expenditure from the income we earn. However, the cost to the Exchequer of the Commandant's visit to Europe last year was £417 and the cost to the College of the visits to America and Europe since April have been £3,335 and £4,129 respectively.
§ The costs to the Exchequer of the Deputy Commandant's visits to the Middle East and Europe prior to April were £7,043 and £187 respectively. The cost to the College of his visits to the Far East and Europe since April have been £3,609 and £1,285 respectively.
§ I hope this is helpful.
§ As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will be published in the Official Report. I will now place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.