To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost to the public purse was of the visit by the chief executive of Thames Gateway and others to Emscher Park in Germany's Ruhr Valley in October; and if she will make a statement. (165126)

The visit to Emscher Park in Germany on 3 to 5 October 2007 by the Thames Gateway chief executive and others was paid for by Communities and Local Government (CLG), the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) and other agencies who had representatives on the trip. The cost of the flight of the Thames Gateway chief executive and other costs including accommodation, food and transport were paid for by CABE. The flight of one other CLG official was paid for by CLG, but accommodation and other costs for this officer were paid for by CABE. The total cost to CLG of this trip was therefore £377.00.