§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition to the United Kingdom Government. [70387]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonUnder the arrangements set out in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch (Mr. Sedgemore) on 8 June 1998,Official Report, column 423, the principal costs for the exhibition will fall to the organisers, Spearhead Exhibitions Ltd. However, my Department will make a contribution towards the cost of the missions from the 50 or so countries to be invited by Her Majesty's Government. Detailed arrangements have yet to be finalised, but we have estimated a direct cost to MOD of about £250,000. In addition, representatives of Her Majesty's Government may carry out other activities associated with the exhibition as part of their normal duties. These could only be identified at disproportionate cost.