§ Mr. TrendTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total cost of public events for the Cardiff Summit. [49645]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonThe only public event at the Cardiff European Council paid for by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was the reception given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister for some 250 representatives of the local community, as well as exhibitors and sponsors of the "Wales, the Next Generation" exhibition, in the National Museum of Wales on 14 June. This cost £5,000 (ex VAT). The fireworks display at Cardiff Castle at the end of the dinner given by HM The Queen on 15 June could also be seen by many members of the public in Cardiff. It cost £28,085.11 (ex VAT), and was funded through sponsorship. Some other events were laid on for the public by the local authorities and other local bodies.
§ Mr. TrendTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total cost to(a) the United Kingdom Government and (b) the European Union institutions of hosting the European Council in Cardiff, indicating separately the costs of the organisation of (i) the Youth Summit and (ii) other events associated with the Council meeting. [49755]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonWe are still awaiting final invoices, but expect the cost to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of hosting the European Council in Cardiff to be about £6.6 million (ex VAT). There were also costs arising for the Home Office and the Welsh Office.
The European Union institutions involved in the European Council met the costs of their own staff, senior officials and some office equipment. These costs are not readily available.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office gave a grant of £2,500 to the British Youth Council who were involved in the organising of the Youth Summit.
I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer today with regard to the costs to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of other events at the European Council meeting.