Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 December 2022 to Question 108123 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Electronic Purchasing Card Solution, for what reason the VIP services purchased for visiting dignitaries at Heathrow Airport on 23 March 2022 using a government procurement card were not covered by the contract agreed by his Department on 1 September 2021 with Heathrow Airport Ltd for the use of VIP suites, procurement reference 283290/1030331.

VIP Suites are booked to provide swift and secure airport arrival and departure arrangements for visiting foreign dignitaries. The FCDO contract with Heathrow VIP covers arrivals and departures for VIPs visiting the UK on State or Guest of Government Visits. The use of suites during other types of official visits by VIPs would be outside the contract and paid using government procurement cards. We are committed to using public money responsibly and receive a reduced rate for these services.