§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the occasions since 1 May 1997 on which a Minister in his Department has used(a) an aircraft belonging to the RAF and (b) a privately chartered aircraft together with (i) details of the take-off and destination points, (ii) ground waiting time, (iii) dates of departure and return, (iv) purpose of the trip, (v) cost of the trip to his Department and (vi) details of people accompanying the Minister, indicating the total costs of all such travel borne by his Department (1) since 1 May 1997 and (2) between 1 May 1996 and 1 May 1997.[55555]
§ Mr. Hoon[holding answer 19 October 1998]: This question could be answered in full only at disproportionate cost. Ministers are required under the terms of the Ministerial Code always to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. The rules on travel for Ministers are the same as those that applied under the previous Administration.
No such costs have been incurred in the 17 months between May 1997 and September 1998 compared to an average cost of £3,094.00 for flights by RAF Aircraft under the last year of the previous Administration.