Ministerial Visits (Hansard, 10 September 2003)

§ Mr. McNulty

The Government publish the overall costs of all ministerial overseas travel and a list of all visits overseas by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500 on an annual basis. The list for period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003 was published by the Prime Minister on 16 July,Official Report, column 482W. The next list for period 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004 will be published at the end of the financial year.

Since the 1 April the Secretary of State for Transport has undertaken the following UK visits: On 8 April, he met representatives from South Central Trains at the Integrated Travel Centre, Brighton. The journey was made using the contracted Government car and train at a cost of £42. On 24 April, he met the French Transport Minister and his delegation in Berkshire. The journey was made using the contracted Government car. On 9 May, he met the Chief Executive of the DVLA and local staff at the DVLA, Edinburgh. The journey was made using a hired Government car at a cost of £62.50. On 12 May, he met the Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in Dover. The journey was made using the contracted Government car service and the train at a cost of £30.10. On 20 June he met the Manchester and Liverpool Chamber of Commerce at Manchester Airport. He then went to the Stockport station and Edgely signalling Centre and met the Stockport project manager and Network Rail representative and Ann Coffey MP. The journey was made by plane, hired Government car and train at a cost of £453.60. On 8 July he met representatives from Chiltern Railways and Laing Rail at Chiltern Railways, Aylesbury. The journey was made by contracted Government car.

In respect of gifts received, I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 14 March Official Report, column 482W.