HC Deb 13 July 1999 vol 335 cc165-6W
Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the cost of the New Deal Conference held in Birmingham on 21 and 22 June; and if he will make a statement. [89369]

Mr. Andrew Smith

The cost of the conference was £257,336, including the hire of the International Convention Centre in Birmingham, all costs of production, stage, set, equipment, personnel, facilities, facilitators for syndicate sessions and catering. The conference was attended by 670 delegates, 54 speakers and 34 journalists. In addition to the plenary sessions there were 37 syndicate sessions covering 19 different subjects.