(2) what proportion of the cost of the Cabinet meeting in Liverpool on 8 January 2009 was attributable to (a) transport, (b) policing, (c) catering and (d) additional costs.
The visit of the Cabinet to Liverpool on 8 January 2009 was linked with a large number of ministerial visits across the region; there was a public engagement event with around 170 people and a formal Cabinet meeting. The cost of the public engagement event and the cabinet meeting was approximately £76,620, excluding VAT. The figure includes the cost of hiring the venue, catering, associated security and delegate management. There are no separate figures for the Cabinet meeting. In addition, Departments and agencies will have incurred costs in terms of travel, staff time and other support. The cost of any security provided by the police is a matter for the relevant police force.
Further such visits are planned for the future; announcements of these will be made at the appropriate time.