HC Deb 20 May 1996 vol 278 cc58-9W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 May,Official Report, column 362, (1) when the detailed records relating to the royal visit to Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in 1986 were destroyed; [30031]

(2) when it became his Department's policy to destroy detailed records relating to overseas visits. [30032]

Mr. Rifkind

Accounting records, including those relating to royal visits overseas are destroyed in accordance with guidelines agreed with the National Audit Office which require that detailed invoices are kept a minimum of three years.

All detailed accounting records relating to 1986 were destroyed during the routine weeding of documents. The date of destruction was not noted.

Mr. Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what budgetary controls exist within his Department in respect of costs arising from royal visits abroad. [30033]

Mr. Rifkind

An overall cost estimate is provided before each visit is agreed. A detailed estimate is then agreed with the household concerned. Expenditure is subsequently checked against invoices and statements provided by the household.

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