§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what her estimate is of total spending on Ministers'(a) private offices, (b) entertainment, (c) UK travel, (d) international travel, (e) pay and (f) other costs for each year from 1996–97 to 2002–03; and if she will make a statement. [90444]
§ Mrs. LiddellThe Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. From that date, the information requested is as follows:
(a) In the period 1 July 1999 to 31 March 2000 the costs of Ministers' private offices were not recorded separately. The costs of ministerial private offices after March 2000 were:
£ 2000–01 522,721 2001–02 614,146 2002–03 (est) 594,486 The figures do not take account of accommodation costs and other overheads.
(b) Expenditure on hospitality and entertainment was:
£ 1999–2000 10,638 2000–01 41,275 2001–02 25,789 2002–03 (est) 38,789 All such expenditure is made in accordance with published guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting.
(c) In the period 1 July 1999 to 31 March 2000 the cost of ministerial travel was not recorded separately. From 1 April 2000, the cost of ministerial travel within the UK was:
£ 2000–01 39,585 2001–02 34,915 2002–03 (est) 22,756 (d) Since 1999, the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers covering £500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Details of travel undertaken during the period 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002 were published on 24 July 2002. The cost of Ministers' visits overseas for 2002–03 will be published as soon as possible. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House.
482W(e) Ministers' pay costs were as follows:
£ 1999–2000 152,102 2000–01 155,328 2001–02 175,843 2002–03 (est) 185,307 (f) Other non-pay costs are not separately identifiable.