§ Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total cost to public funds of his recent visit to Brazil including the cost incurred by accompanying officials broken down by(a) travel costs and (b) accommodation and subsistence. [52840]
§ Mr. Mandelson[holding answer 28 July 1998]: The cost of my trip to Brazil, as Minister without Portfolio, was approximately £6,400 for travel and £328 for accommodation. I was not accompanied by officials from the UK.
§ Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the purpose of his recent visit to Brazil; and how many officials accompanied him on the visit. [52839]
§ Mr. Mandelson[holding answer 28 July 1998]: As Minister without Portfolio I undertook an official programme of meetings and visits in Brazil to cement the close personal relations between my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and President Cardoso, and to deepen ties between the two governments and countries so as to strengthen our economic partnership. This programme included meetings with President Cardoso and Government Ministers and speeches at the University of Brasilia and the British Chamber of Commerce in Sao Paulo. I was not 780W accompanied by officials from the UK but received excellent support from the British Embassy and the Consulate General in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.