§ Mr. WilshireTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 22 January 1988,Official Report, column 678, if he will publish the programme of his wife when she accompanied him to the Netherlands from 25 to 27 May 1997 at public expense. [25925]
Dr. John Cunningham[holding answer 27 January 1998]: An "Informal Ministerial Council" is held during each Presidency of the EU, to which Ministerial spouses are traditionally invited. The programme for spouses during the Netherlands Informal Agriculture Council of EU Ministers is given. The Netherlands 681W authorities met all spouses' costs with the exception of travel expenses to and from the Netherlands. The notional cost of my wife's travel was £457.60.
- Sunday 25 May, 1997
- From 12.30:
- Arrival in Domburg
- 16.45 hours:
- Programme commences
- Reception in Middelburg
- Performance at the Middelburg Town Theatre
- Dinner at the Town Hall in Middelburg
- Drinks and dance in Badhotel Domburg
- Monday 26 May, 1997
- Tour by steam train to Oudelande
- Visit to the Agricultural Show
- Embarkation at Zierikzee, lunch on board
- Visit to the piers of the Oosterschelde storm surge barrier
- Dinner in Veere
- Laser show in Veere harbour
- Tuesday 27 May, 1997
- Visit to cheese farm, St. Laurens
- Visit to garden, St. Laurens
- Lunch in Middelburg with Ministers.