§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the journeys made at public expense by his special adviser, Mr. Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, indicating the dates and destinations of any visits overseas; and what has been the total cost of these journeys to the public funds. [26712]
§ Mr. MandelsonMr. Wegg-Prosser has not made any journeys at public expense.
§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement indicating the access received by his special adviser, Mr. Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, to official papers, separately identifying his access to(a) defence, (b) security and (c) intelligence information. [26363]
§ Mr. MandelsonMr. Wegg-Prosser has access to papers which do not carry a security classification. My Private Secretary is responsible for copying to Mr. Wegg-Prosser, on my instructions, any papers which he may need to have.
§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Minister without Portfolio what publicly-funded accommodation and facilities are provided for his special adviser, Mr. Benjamin Wegg-Prosser. [26366]
§ Mr. MandelsonMr. Wegg-Prosser acts as a political adviser to me as Minister without Portfolio. The appointment carries no remuneration or reimbursement from public funds. A desk in No. 70 Whitehall is provided for his use, which includes a telephone extension and access to the Cab-e-net system. He may also make use of internal messenger services.
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§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list all meetings on Government business attended by his special adviser, Mr. Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, from 12 to 23 January, separately identifying those(a) relating to millennium business and (b) on other matters. [26367]
§ Mr. MandelsonMr. Wegg-Prosser did not attend any meetings on Government business from 12 to 23 January.
§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on the age, professional or academic qualifications and previous career, of his special adviser, Mr. Benjamin Wegg-Prosser. [26368]
§ Mr. MandelsonMr. Wegg-Prosser is appointed as a political adviser. He is not paid from public funds. He previously acted as an adviser to me for the Labour Party.