Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Department’s publication of spending over £500 with a Government procurement card in January 2022, what the event was for which SQ Event Hire Services were paid £1,783.48 on 20 January 2022; who attended that event; and for what purpose it was held.

This relates to stools and tables hired to ensure a reception at Luna Park in Sydney hosted by the then Foreign Secretary complied with the latest New South Wales covid restrictions. There were seventy guests, including the Australian Foreign Minister and the Premier of New South Wales. It was not used for admittance into the fairground or to go on any attractions.