§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total cost of accommodation and internal travel for the Minister for the Environment and those who accompanied him to the Antarctica Treaty meeting in Antarctica. [67977]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 28 January 1999]: Travel costs from New Zealand to Antarctica and return, internal travel and accommodation costs in Antarctica were paid for by the New Zealand Government.
600W
§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many(a) civil servants and (b) political advisers accompanied the Minister for the Environment to the Antarctica Treaty meeting in Antarctica; and what was the total cost of their airfares; [67978]
(2) what was the cost of the flights for the Minister for the Environment to attend the Antarctica Treaty meeting in Antarctica; and in what class he travelled. [67979]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 28 January 1999]: I attended an informal meeting of Ministers and senior Government officials from Antarctic Treaty Nations at the invitation of the New Zealand Government. Some 24 countries were represented. The main focus of the meeting was to look at the way the continent has been affected by environmental changes from climate change to ozone depletion. I was accompanied by one civil servant. No political adviser accompanied me.
The cost of the two return business class flights to New Zealand was £8,709. Flight costs from New Zealand to Antarctica were paid by the New Zealand Government.
§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what use the Minister for the Environment made of RAF aircraft to travel to and from the Antarctica Treaty meeting in Antarctica. [67980]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 28 January 1999]: None.