§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the conferences held by his Department since 1 May 1997, giving in each case the(a) purpose and (b) estimated cost. [27799]
§ Mr. Tony Lloyd[holding answer 5 February 1998]: This Department has held the following international conferences since 1 May 1997:
24–27 October 1997:Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). CHOGM's are held every two years to enable Commonwealth Heads of Government to discuss key issues, and give political direction to the work of the Commonwealth. We were glad to host CHOGM as a demonstration of our commitment to the Commonwealth. The estimated cost is £7,05 million inclusive of VAT.2–4 December 1997:The London Conference on Nazi Gold. The aim was to pool international information on gold looted by the Nazi's from countries and individuals and what subsequently happened to it. The conference established a sound body of fact which Governments and other decision takers can use as a basis for future actions. The estimated cost is £300,000 inclusive of VAT.8 January 1998:UK/EU Commissioners Meeting. The purpose was to discuss priorities for the UK Presidency of the European Union. The estimated cost is £76,767 exclusive of VAT.12–13 February 1998:UK/Caribbean Forum. The Forum achieved its objective, a fresh opportunity for the UK, at an early stage in its EU Presidency, to demonstrate its interest and concern for the problems of the Commonwealth Caribbean. The estimated cost was £150,000 inclusive of VAT.