WELSH Conservatives can reveal it will cost the tax payer almost £15,000 to send one Assembly Government Official to the Beijing Olympic Games this summer.

Figures obtained by Clwyd West AM Darren Millar show that while no Government Ministers will be attending, one official will represent Wales as part of a Nations and Regions delegation.

A second official visiting Beijing for only a few days will have their costs met by the British Olympic Association.

Mr Millar AM said:

"This seems like a staggering amount of money just to send one person to China.

"If the BOA is meeting the costs of a second officials visit then why are we footing the bill for the Nations and Regions delegation organised by the BOA and VisitBritain?

"£14,750 is a consider amount of money.

"This expenditure is an insult to people across Wales who are having to tighten their belts due to the current economic slowdown and to the many worthy causes that have had their funding cut or withdrawn due to the rising costs of the London Games."

Shadow Culture Minister Paul Davies AM added:

"While it is important the Assembly Government promotes the Welsh role in the Olympics, we need to know what Wales will gain from sending this official to Beijing.

"We completely support our athletes who are travelling to compete with the British team in August.

"But the Assembly Government needs to justify why this trip will cost so much money."