Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to her Department’s publication of electronic purchasing card spending over £500 for October 2021, where were the hotels on which £7497.08 was spent between the period of 18-25 October; for which individuals that accommodation was purchased; and what the purpose was of their stay at those hotels.

The breakdown of the £7,497.08 consists of the following:

£3,041.27 - This spend related to accommodation for Lord Grimstone, and an accompanying Private Secretary, who attended and spoke at the Future Investment Initiative (FII). Lord Grimstone met several senior Saudi Ministers and international businesses. Lord Grimstone also represented the UK at the Middle East Green Initiative during his visit.

Lord Grimstone stayed for 3 nights, 2 of which were complementary for his role speaking at the event. The cost of the 3 nights’ accommodation for the Private Secretary was met by the department.

£1,296.90 – This spend relates to 5 nights (17-22 Oct 21) accommodation costs for the UK Defence & Security Exports (UK DSE) Senior Military Advisor who attended ADEX (a leading Aviation exhibition in North East Asia) in Republic of Korea as part of UKDSE delegation in October.

£1,150 – This was a lunch event at a hotel, hosted by Lord Faulkner, the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Taiwan, in support of the 24th annual UK-Taiwan trade talks.

£879.09 - This relates to accommodation costs for the UK DSE’s Senior Military Advisor and the UK DSE desk officer responsible for Turkey who supported government talks with UK Embassy staff in Turkey. Accommodation for 2 people from 25-28 October for 3 nights.

£585.19 – This spend relates to 3 nights’ accommodation costs for UK DSE’s Principal Police and Security Advisor who attended MiliPol Paris (a leading Homeland security and safety exhibition) in October.

£544.63 – This spend relates to 3 nights’ accommodation costs during the period of 27-31 October 2022 for a Department for International Trade Air Advisor who was the UK representative at the USAF Air Mobility Command’s annual Airlift Tanker Convention in Orlando, Florida.