To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of media presentations and press conferences which he has given, other than those held at his Department. [25167]

[holding answer 23 January 1998]: In the course of visits outside my department which my Ministers and I have made, we have given a number of media presentations and press conferences. The press conference I held jointly with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in her Department on 9 December 1997 cost my Department £1,585, including VAT. There were no other additional costs arising from such press conferences.