(2) how much was spent from public funds on (a) lunch and (b) refreshments for those attending the Cabinet meeting held in Liverpool on 8 January 2009;
(3) what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of holding the meeting of the Cabinet in Leeds on 28 November 2008;
(4) how much was spent on (a) lunch and (b) refreshments for those attending the Cabinet meeting held in Leeds on 28 November 2008;
(5) how much was spent on police protection for the Cabinet meeting held in Leeds on 28 November 2008;
(6) what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of holding the meeting of the Cabinet in Liverpool on 8 January 2009.
The visit of the Cabinet to Leeds on 28 November was linked with a number of ministerial visits across the region; there was a public engagement event with around 220 people which was followed by a formal Cabinet meeting. There are no separate figures for the Cabinet meeting. The cost of the public engagement event and the Cabinet meeting was approximately £57,190, excluding VAT. The figure includes the cost of hiring the venue, catering, associated security and search equipment, delegate management and rail travel for both staff and Ministers. In addition, Departments and agencies will have incurred costs in terms of staff time and other support. The cost of any security provided by the police is a matter for the relevant police force. The cost of the public engagement event and Cabinet in Liverpool on 8 January will be published once figures are available.
In addition, I have placed in the Library of the House the “Response to Cabinet public engagement event Leeds 2008”.