§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions in the past year the spouse of a Minister in his Department has travelled abroad at public expense to accompany a Minister on public duties, and what has been the total cost to public funds; and on how many occasions such travel has been undertaken at own cost.
§ Mr. Heseltine[holding answer 26 October 1994]: In the past year, spouses of Ministers have travelled abroad at public expense six times. The total cost to public funds was £22,998.67. On three occasions in the past year spouses have travelled abroad at their own expense.
Spouses accompanied Ministers on the six occasions in order to take an active part in the official programme. Spouses' activities included attending official functions, as well as, for example, visits to education and welfare establishments.