asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why British Embassy staff in Washington were obliged to pay from their own allowances for a garden party on the occasion of the Queen's Silver Jubilee and the visit of Princess Anne.

In accordance with the Government's general policy on Silver Jubilee celebrations, it was decided that no extra public funds should be made available to celebrate the occasion overseas. However, diplomatic missions were encouraged to mark the Jubilee, using exsiting resources, in whatever way they considered to be appropriate in local circumstances. In Washington it was decided to enlarge the annual Queen's Birthday Party by topping up the fixed allocation of funds for this occasion, in this case about $1,000, from allowances provided for other official entertainment.Her Majesty's Ambassador in Washington decided to hold such a party. Members of his staff were not obliged to contribute towards the extra costs but volunteered to do so from their own entertainment allowances and nominated a set