To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total cost of travel by officials between the United Kingdom and the British Embassy in Havana in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what is the average cost of a journey by a Government official between the United Kingdom and the British embassy in Havana. [HL3042]

During financial year 2008-09, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) consular rapid deployment team travelled to Cuba in response to Hurricane Ike (in September 2008). Six members of staff deployed and the total cost of flights was £23,676. There were visits to the embassy by contractors, technicians and other FCO staff from a range of departments, but as costs were incurred from different budgets individual breakdowns are not readily available. Members of staff from our embassy in Havana also travelled back to the UK for visits.

It is difficult to provide costs for an average journey as officials use different carriers and classes of travel. To ensure value for money, visits to Havana are often combined with travel elsewhere in the region.