§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the cost of Ministerial overseas travel in his Department in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98 to date. [26659]
§ Mr. Prescott[holding answer 5 February 1998]: The estimated costs for both the former Departments of the Environment and Transport and the merged Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions are as follows:
£ DOE DOT DETR Total 1995–96 105,237 86,371 — 191,608 1996–97 120,131 57,801 — 177,932 1997–98 to 31 January 14,937 — 124,115 139,052 In the case of the former Department of Transport these figures also include an element for travel within the UK.
The Department of the Environment figures for 1997–98 cover the period of one month from 1 April until the election when £14,937 overseas expenditure was incurred by ministers in the previous Government. The remaining amount relates to travel costs of this Government to 31 January.