Duke of York
(asked on 12th January 2015) - View Source
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, which overseas visits undertaken by HRH The Duke of York since 2011 were carried out partly or wholly on behalf of his Department; which countries were visited and what official events took place during each such visit; and what the cost to the public purse of (a) travel and (b) other expenses was of each such visit.
The Duke of York announced that he was relinquishing his role as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment in July 2011. Since 1st January 2012, HRH honoured two pre-existing commitments approved by the Royal Visits Committee (see below) through to the end of March 2012 in support of UK Trade & Investment objectives.
Switzerland (Davos) 26-28 January 2012
During the World Economic Forum at Davos, The Duke of York hosted the UK Reception, which as well as supporting British Business, provided an opportunity to promote the London Olympics 2012 and the Global Investment Conference. His Royal Highness also held a number of bilateral meetings throughout the Forum with Heads of State, Ministers and business leaders.
The cost to UKTI for this visit was £12.9k
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Thailand (Creative & Media and Food & Drink) 28 February – 2 March 2012
During his visit to Thailand, The Duke of York called on The King and Queen of Thailand and Princess Maha Chakri Sirindthorn. His Royal Highness met with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Commerce and the Vice Chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group Company Limited. His Royal Highness attended a lunch for Thai companies, a dinner for British companies and a dinner with representatives of the "Next Generation" – a group of young thought leaders. The Duke of York visited the British Council's "Everything Forever Now" Exhibition at the Thailand Creative and Design Centre, Sahaviriya Steel Industries plc, Reckitt Benkiser and opened the Tesco Lotus Zero Carbon Store, Bang Pru. His Royal Highness also met with the Royal British Legion at the Embassy
The cost to UKTI for this visit was £8.8k
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