To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2009, Official Report, columns 626-27W, on economic situation, what expenditure was incurred under what budgetary headings his Department incurred on its seminar on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Africa Economic Outlook held in June 2008. (268174)

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Africa Economic Outlook seminar helps inform Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff about economic developments in Africa and is also a valuable part of the UK’s extensive links with the OECD.

The total cost of the seminar was £123.74, to provide refreshments for the participants and guest speakers from the OECD’s Development Centre. This was met from the FCO’s Global Economy Group’s administrative budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2009, Official Report, columns 626-27W, on the economic situation, what expenditure under what budgetary headings was incurred by his Department in relation to its Global Economy Group internal seminar held in October 2008. (268175)

The lunchtime seminar on risks facing emerging market economies in the financial crisis cost £270.36. All costs were associated with catering provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s standard internal caterers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2009, Official Report, columns 626-27W, on the economic situation, what expenditure under what budgetary headings was incurred by his Department in relation to its bi-annual conference for its economic officers held in December 2008. (268176)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Economic Officers conference is held bi-annually.

The budget for this year’s conference was set at £35,000 with 120 officials attending. The actual spend as of 30 March 2009 was £23,238 and final spend is expected to be within the budget.

Two thirds of the budget for the conference was to provide a contribution to officials’ airfares. The remainder was allocated to catering and audio equipment hire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2009, Official Report, columns 626-27W, on the economic situation, what the expenditure under what budgetary headings was incurred by his Department in relation to its seminar on Global economics crisis: challenges and opportunities for Europe held in Budapest in February. (268177)

The Department incurred a total expenditure of £1,464 for this seminar under the following budgetary headings:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 12 March 2009, Official Report, columns 626-7W, on the economic situation, what expenditure under what budgetary headings was incurred by his Department in relation to its conference for climate and energy attachés held on 26 and 27 February 2009. (268178)

The conference held on 26 to 27 February 2009 succeeded in allowing our Diplomats based throughout the world to engage directly with policy makers in Whitehall, non-governmental organisations and key business stakeholders so as to improve their effectiveness in representing the UK overseas. Over 150 people attended this event which is held annually. Final costs are contingent on claims for subsistence some of which are yet to be received. But anticipated final costs break down as follows:

Costs are incurred under the administration budget line for the global and economic issues directorate at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.