To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) pursuant to the answer of 2 June 2008, Official Report, column 682W, on the EU Battlegroup, which countries were represented at the EU battlegroup observer’s day to Exercise Druids Dance on 12 May; (210648)

The cost to my Department of hosting the EU Battlegroup observers’ day to Exercise Druids Dance, held on 12 May at the Land Warfare Centre on Salisbury Plain, was £622.12. This consisted of £446.25 to hire a coach, and £175.87 to provide lunch and refreshments. The observers were responsible for their own travel to the Land Warfare Centre and any hotel costs.

The following countries were represented at the EU Battlegroup observers’ day: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

The observers’ day was also attended by representatives of the House of Commons Defence Committee and the House of Lords EU Scrutiny Committee.