London, Aug 30 (IANS) The former Labour government in Britain spent 38,000 pounds (around $62,000) in five years to teach officials of the Foreign Office how to play drums, a media report said Tuesday.
In the two-hour drum-playing sessions, the officials played using everything, including dustbins, broom handles, plastic tubs and African tribal drums, The Sun reported.
From 2006 to 2010, the Foreign Office paid 38,000 pounds to event organisers Poisson Rouge.
The highest amount spent in a year was was 26,245 pounds in 2008-09, when David Miliband was foreign secretary.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs officials also learnt drum playing.
Tory MP Charlie Elphicke, who uncovered the details, said: "It's no surprise Labour maxed out the nation's credit card when they allowed wasteful spending like this."