§ Mr. BarkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the criteria are for the(a) level and (b) cost of hotel accommodation for the Ministers and officials travelling to Bali. [57840]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 20 May 2002]: The venue for the fourth preparatory meeting for the World Summit on Sustainable Development was chosen by the Indonesian Government. The hotels for delegations were recommended by the UN and the Indonesian Government. The hotel accommodation was chosen for its proximity to the conference centre, to provide easy access to the hotel after late night negotiating sessions, and for the business facilities to allow constant contact with the UK.
§ Mr. BarkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many hotel rooms have been booked for the WSD Conference in Bali by(a) her Department and (b) the UK delegation; and at what cost to public funds. [57836]
§ Mr. MeacherThirteen hotel rooms have been booked for members of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. There are 27 hotel rooms booked for the total delegation to the fourth preparatory meeting for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. This will include representatives from DEFRA, DFID, DTI, FCO and the Cabinet Office; the total cost for the hotel rooms will be approximately £48,000.