§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the overseas visits between 1 July and 19 October on which Ministers have been accompanied by special advisers and, for each trip,(a) the name of the adviser, (b) the class and cost of travel booked for the adviser, (c) the class of travel actually used by the adviser and (d) the accommodation and ancillary costs for the adviser. [56005]
§ Mr. George Robertson[holding answer 22 October 1998]: The Ministerial Code requires Ministers always to make efficient cost effective travel arrangements. In line with the practice of successive Administrations, officials (including Special Advisers) accompanying Ministers on overseas visits are entitled to use the same class of travel as the Minister they are accompanying, to facilitate briefings and discussions. As far as my Department is concerned I have been accompanied by a Special Adviser on the following overseas visits:
Date Country visited Accompanying personnel Number of special advisers Cost (£) 18 September France 5 1 1,374 23-25 September Portugal 16 1 7,588 5 and 6 October Cyprus 2 1 8,332 Note:
All flights were by RAF aircraft and account for the bulk of the costs shown. The remaining costs were those which were also met by the Ministers offices' budget. Any additional costs for other members of the accompanying party are not held centrally and are excluded.