§ Q12. Mr. Onslowasked the Prime Minister whether he will instruct all members of his Goverenment, in the interests of economy and to save foreign exchange, that they should not take members of their families with them on official visits overseas.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, because it is not for me to say that Ministers should not in the odd case take members of their families with them abroad at their own expense. Where, however, any question of expenditure from public funds arises, the long-standing rules apply and my prior approval is required. I can assure the hon. Member that this is, and will be, only very sparingly given.