To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what costs of visits to the US by the Prince of Wales were met from the public purse over the last 12 months, broken down by (a) visit, (b) travel, (c) accommodation, (d) visit participant, (e) gifts and (f) other expenses; what the purpose of each such visit was; where the proposal for each such visit originated; what (i) proportion of and (ii) events within each such visit were organised by, or on behalf of, the Prince's charities or foundations; and if she will make a statement. (129558)

The visit to the United States by his Royal Highness (HRH) the Prince of Wales and Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall from 26-29 January is the only visit over the last 12 months where costs were met from public funds. I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as the accounts for the visit have been finalised, and will place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

The purpose of the visit was to reinforce our relationship with the United States, with a particular focus on youth development, urban regeneration and the environment in support of the Government's best practice agenda. The visit was approved by the Royal Visits Committee as part of our continuing engagement with the United States at the highest level. There were no publicly-funded events organised on behalf of HRH the Prince of Wales' charities or foundations.