§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. HowardSince 28 October 1993, there have been two occasions when the spouse of a Home Office Minister has accompanied the Minister on public duties overseas. The total cost to public funds was £8,317.
On both occasions the necessary approval was sought in advance of the visit and full official programmes drawn up by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, concentrating on charity work relating to Home Office interests, particularly drugs, were followed.
There was one occasion when a spouse accompanied a Home Office Minister at own cost.