§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the expenditure by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies on overseas travel for (i) 1980–81, (ii) 1987–88, (iii) 1990–91, (iv) 1991–92, (v) 1992–93, (vi) 1993–94, (vii) 1994–95, (viii) 1995–96, (ix) 1996–97 and (x) 1 May to 30 September 1997; and if he will provide a breakdown to show (1) air fares and (2) other expenditure relating to overseas travel. [15231]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 11 November 1997]Figures for years (i) and (ii) are not available. Figures for the Department and its Agencies, where these are available, for years (iii) to (x) are listed below. This information is not held centrally for Non Departmental Public Bodies and the information could only be gathered at disproportionate cost. A breakdown to show air fares and other expenditure is not available.
554W
£000 Department1 Agencies1 (iii) 1990–91 1,400 232 (iv) 1991–92 1,707 296 (v) 1992–93 2,390 2— (vi) 1993–94 2,156 2— (vii) 1994–95 1,888 476 (viii) 1995–96 1,807 494 (ix) 1996–97 1,601 419 (x) 1 May to 30 September 1997 568 201 1Figures include overseas subsistence as well as travel costs. 2Figures are not held separately from other travel costs. Not all the Department's Agencies hold the information in a way that enables the elements requested to be identified separately. We have, therefore, been able to provide information only where it is available. It should also be noted that because of changes in Departmental structure and accountancy practice over the years the year to year costs are not readily comparable.