HC Deb 01 February 1996 vol 270 cc854-5W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the cost to his Department in each of the last five financial years and this year to date of the entertainment of foreign dignitaries. [12880]

Mr. Hanley

Expenditure on official entertainment by the FCO—diplomatic and aid wings—for the years requested was as follows:

  • 1990–91: £5,178,849
  • 1991–92: £5,700,606
  • 1992–93: £6,946,298
  • 1993–94: £7,488,121
  • 1994–95: £7,680,934
  • 1995–96: £8,213,136 (projected)

This expenditure has been incurred both in the UK and at 222 posts worldwide in the pursuit of the foreign policy and trade promotion objectives of Her Majesty's Government. Information about expenditure on particular categories of guest is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.