§ Mr. Harry EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what machinery exists in his Department to assist Ministers in ensuring that arrangements made for ministerial visits are separated for administrative and accounting purposes from arrangements made by Ministers acting in other capacities; what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that these conventions have been followed since June 1987; and what steps he is intending to take to ensure they are followed in the future.
§ Mr. Rifkind[holding answer 14 July 1989] My ministerial colleagues and I are well aware of the need to distinguish between those activities, including visits, which we undertake as Ministers and those which we undertake in other capacities. We take great care to ensure that the relevant conventions are observed, seeking the advice of the permanent secretary where necessary.