§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which Minister flew in February from Liverpool to London; how that Minister travelled to Liverpool; what was the purpose of the visit; if he will list the engagements which the Minister undertook; who accompanied the Minister; and what was the cost of the flight to his Department. [60905]
§ Mr. Mandelson[holding answer 27 November 1998]: My hon. Friend the Minister of State flew from Liverpool to London in February this year.
The Minister travelled to Halewood, Liverpool from his home town of Wigan by Government Car Service. The purpose of the visit was to attend the announcement of the Jaguar X400 to Halewood through provision of £43 million of aid support, both safeguarding and bringing new jobs to Halewood.
The Minister's engagements were to meet Halewood's Production Director, trade union representatives and the media.
The Minister was accompanied by his Assistant Private Secretary.
71WA private aircraft was chartered due to the Minister's necessity to return to London for an urgent meeting. Normal scheduled flights from Manchester airport, and travel to the airport, would not have given enough time for the Minister to return to London to attend this meeting. The cost of the flight to the department was £1,368.87.
Scheduled flights were planned to be used had it not been for the urgency of the Minister's return.