To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the (a) date, (b) location and (c) cost was of each of the last four away days attended by a Minister in his Department; and which Minister attended on each occasion. (305465)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office ministerial team meet in a formal capacity twice a year to discuss strategic issues with senior officials and advisers. These meetings are usually held away from the office and take a full working day. Details of the last four away days attended by FCO Ministers are as follows:

17 September 2009 at 1 Carlton Gardens - attended by 28 people including the right hon. David Miliband, my hon. Friend Ivan Lewis and my noble Friend Baroness Glenys Kinnock. The total cost of the away day was £591.

5 January 2009 at Chevening Estate - attended by 45 people including the right hon. David Miliband, my noble Friend Lord Malloch-Brown, the hon. Caroline Flint, my hon. Friend Bill Rammell and my hon. Friend Gillian Merron. The total cost of the away day was £1,797.

30 October 2008 at 1 Carlton Gardens - attended by 23 people including the right hon. David Miliband, my noble Friend Lord Malloch-Brown, the hon. Caroline Flint, my hon. Friend Bill Rammell and my hon. Friend Gillian Merron. The total cost of the away day was £540.

30-31 March 2008 at Chevening Estate - attended by 28 people including the right hon. David Miliband, my noble Friend Lord Malloch-Brown, the hon. Kim Howells, the right hon. Jim Murphy and my hon. Friend Meg Munn. The total cost of the away day was £5,024. This event was held over two days (Sunday and Monday) and includes accommodation and other associated costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the (a) date, (b) location and (c) cost was of each of the last four away days held by his Department's Board. (305467)

The Board of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office meets in formal session once a month to discuss the delivery of the policies and services decided upon by Ministers. Executive Members of the Board also meet regularly between formal Board meetings to discuss the day-to-day operations of the Department. On occasion, the Board meets for longer—typically half-day—sessions away from the office to discuss longer-term strategic issues and the Board's objectives. The last four such occasions were as follows:

Date: 11 March 2008

Location: 1 Carlton Gardens, London

Cost: £870 (security charge and catering)

Date: 3 October 2008

Location: 1 Carlton Gardens, London

Cost: £665 (security charge and catering)

Date: 6 March 2009

Location: 1 Carlton Gardens, London

Cost: £314 (catering)

Date: 10 June 2009

Location: Chevening House, Kent

Cost: £1,367 (facility fee and catering)