HC Deb 05 February 1998 vol 305 cc732-3W
Mr. Wilshire

To ask the Prime Minister what factors underlay the decision that Lady Irvine's attendance was clearly in the public interest when granting permission under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code for her to accompany the Lord Chancellor to Trinidad and Tobago between 4 and 11 January 1998. [24498]

The Prime Minister

[holding answer 22 January 1998]: The key principle governing travel remains the same as that applied by the previous Administration, as set out in the Ministerial Code. Anyone who accompanies a Minister at a cost to the public purse must do so for official purposes; it must be in the public interest, and it must receive my prior approval. My Government will continue to adhere to that principle.

Mr. Wilshire

To ask the Prime Minister (1) what was the public interest justification under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code when he granted permission to the President of the Board of Trade to take her husband(a) to India and Australia from 15 to 22 November 1997 and (b) to China, Hong Kong and Pakistan from 10 to 21 January 1998; [25568]

(2) what was the public interest justification under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code when he granted permission to the Attorney-General to take his wife to Dublin on 17 and 18 September 1997; [25570]

(3) what was the public interest justification under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code when he granted permission to Lord Clinton-Davis to take his wife to Korea and Japan from 21 to 29 September 1997; [25569]

(4) what was the public interest justification under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code when he granted permission to Lord Williams to take his wife (a) to Jersey on 11 and 12 July 1997 and (b) to the Isle of Man on 15 and 16 August 1997. [25567]

The Prime Minister

[holding answer 26 January 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him today.

Mr. Green

To ask the Prime Minister what guidelines he has issued about the granting of diplomatic immunity to Ministers on overseas visits. [27254]

The Prime Minister

None. There is no provision in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations for Ministers to be afforded diplomatic immunity whilst on overseas visits.