HC Deb 22 February 1999 vol 326 c192W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the nature of the involvement of (i) the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the Baroness Simons and (ii) the hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr. MacShane) in the Rotherham Euro Experiment; if(a) ministerial transport and (b) departmental equipment were available to them over the period of their involvement; and what reports have been made by them subsequently. [70789]

Ms Quin

The Rotherham Euro Ready Week was organised by the local Chamber of Commerce Training and Enterprise Council, theRotherham Advertiser, and other local public and private sector bodies. It was welcomed by HMG as making a significant contribution to the Government's campaign to raise awareness of the introduction of the Euro.

My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State attended in her Ministerial capacity in support of HMG's public information campaign. She travelled by rail to Doncaster, her ticket paid for from public funds. The organisers kindly provided a car to take her from Doncaster to Rotherham. She had her usual departmental equipment with her.

My hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. MacShane) was present in his constituency capacity. This Department did not provide him with transport or equipment.