To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the
Answer of 11 November 2014 to Question 214210, what the cost to his Department was
of providing support to the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs
on his visits to (a) Dublin in October 2014, (b) Brussels in October 2014, (c) Italy
in October 2014, (d) Ireland in May 2014, (e) Poland in May 2014, (f) Paris in April
2014, (g) Helsinki in March 2013, (h) Paris in December 2013, (i) Denmark and Sweden
in December 2014, (j) Brussels in November 2013, (k) Rome in October 2013, (l) Philadelphia
in July 2013, (m) Venice in May 2013, (n) Dublin in May 2013 and (o) Berlin in April
2013.
<p>I refer to my previous answers (213577, 214210) on this matter. The UK’s global
diplomatic network - employing over 14,000 people in 267 Embassies, High Commissions,
Consulates and other offices in 154 countries and 12 Overseas Territories around the
world – works to achieve the international policy objectives that benefit the whole
of the UK, including promoting Scottish companies and products, its culture, and Scotland
as a destination for investment, tourism and study. However, the information requested
is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p>