HC Deb 31 January 1997 vol 289 c425W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what have been the running costs of Chevening in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [13614]

Mr. Rifkind

The running costs of Chevening house are the responsibility of the Chevening estate and are not borne by Government. The management of Chevening house is under the Chevening Trust, a public trust established by Parliament with certain tax exemptions. When Chevening house is use with my permission for meetings and conferences, the costs are assessed on a commercial basis and charges levied accordingly.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many days he has spent in residence at Chevening in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [13615]

Mr. Rifkind

I resided at Chevening for the following numbers of days:

  • 1996: 18
  • 1995: 20
  • 1994: 20
  • 1993: 20.

Information for 1992 is not available.