§ Norman BakerTo ask the Prime Minister if he will list the overseas missions undertaken on his behalf since 7 June by(a)Lord Levy and (b)the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson), listing in each case (i) persons and places visited, (ii) the reason for the visits and (iii) the cost to public funds. [8774]
§ The Prime MinisterPursuant to my reply of 23 October 2001,Official Report,columns 142–43W, I regret that due to an administrative error the information provided was incorrect.
The appointment of my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) as Chairman of the UK-Japan 21stCentury Group was not made by me. The Group is an independent organisation, which exists to strengthen ties between Britain and Japan. It is largely funded by subscriptions from its corporate members. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has in recent years made an annual contribution of £4,000 to the Group. The post of Chairman of the Group is a part-time and unpaid appointment.