HC Deb 30 June 1994 vol 245 c689W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for what reasons the EC paid for the mayor of Colchester, the town clerk and the community services director of Colchester borough council to visit Argos in Greece; under what programme this expenditure was made; who authorised it; how much is to be spent on such trips in the current year; which EC official is responsible; and to which director general in the Commission he is answerable.

Mr. Curry

I understand that the visit was made under the EC's exchange of experience programme, which is run by DG XVI of the Commission. In the United Kingdom, the programme is managed by the Local Government International Bureau, which is sponsored by the local authority associations. Participation in the programme is a matter for individual authorities.