asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of his officials were sent to Brussels in 1978 to discuss EEC matters; what was the total man-days involved; and what was the cost to public funds of travel and subsistence, including sums reimbursed by the Commission.

I understand that in the calendar year 1978 officials of this Department made 262 journeys abroad to attend meetings of EEC bodies, involving 662 man-days. The approximate cost was £44,000, of which approximately £37,000 was reimbursed by the Commission.