HC Deb 13 December 1995 vol 268 cc644-5W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on official hospitality in 1994–95 and the financial year to date; and what is the 1995–96 projected budget for official hospitality. [5588]

Mr. Hanley

In 1994–95 the cost of hospitality, which is included in the running cost budget for this Department—Diplomatic Wing and ODA—was £7,680,934. The Natural Resources Institute, an agency of the ODA, spent £3,386; and Wilton Park, an agency of the diplomatic wing, spent £455.

Figures for the financial year to date—1 April to 31 October—are £4,759,666 for this Department; £2,770 for the Natural Resources Institute; and £562 for Wilton Park.

The projected budget for this Department for 1995–96 is around £8.2 million; for the Natural Resources Institute, £5,000; and for Wilton Park, £1,000.