HC Deb 04 November 2003 vol 412 cc575-6W
Mr. Flight

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was to his Department for(a) ministerial cars and drivers, (b) taxis, (c) train travel,(d) the use of helicopters, (e) airline tickets and (f) chartered aeroplanes in each year since 1997. [123076]

Fiona Mactaggart

Information on the costs of categories(a) ministerial cars and drivers and (f) chartered planes, in respect of ministerial travel, is being provided centrally by the Cabinet Office in a parallel question.

With regard to the departmental cost of taxi, train and air travel since 1997, the detailed information requested is not held centrally within the Home Office and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. All official travel undertaken by Home Office employees is in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Service Management Code. All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the "Ministerial Code" and "Travel by Ministers".

David Davis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the(a) foreign and (b) UK visits he has made since 1 April; with the cost to public funds of each; whom he met; and the gifts received. [126899]

Mr. Blunkett

The Government publishes an annual list of gifts received by Ministers valued at more than £140. The information for 2003–04 will be published after the end of the financial year.

The Government also publishes on an annual basis the cost and details of all Ministers' visits overseas. The information for 2003–04 will be published after the end of the financial year.

Detailed information for all Ministers in respect of UK travel is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are in the Library.