To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the budget was for the Government Hospitality Section of the Conference and Visits Group in each of the last 10 years. [122845]

The Government Hospitality Section (GHS) of Conference and Visits Group (CVG) managed a budget of approximately £0.6 million for the year 2002–03. This figure has been consistent (i.e. between £0.8 million and £0.6 million) since the formation of CVG in 1999. Prior to 1999 the work of the GHS was carried out by the former Government Hospitality Fund; the budget was similar to the current figure.