HC Deb 27 November 1998 vol 321 cc18-9W
Mr. Maples

To ask the Prime Minister if drafts of the answers given to the hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon by various departments on 19 November in respect of ministerial travel, were seen by anyone in his Office before publication. [60910]

The Prime Minister

In line with the practice of successive Administrations, this Government seek to secure proper co-ordination where identical questions are tabled to a number of Departments, including my Office.

Mr. Maples

To ask the Prime Minister (1) what was the cost to his Office of travel in aircraft (i) belonging to the RAF and (ii) privately chartered(a) in the year to 1 May 1997 and (b) since 1 May 1997; [60902]

(2) by what means he returned from Toulouse to London in August. [60901]

The Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 November 1998,Official Report, columns 742–46.

Mr. Maples

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list the people who accompanied him on the flight he made in September from Lyneham to Highgrove: what was the cost of the flight; and by what means they then returned to London; [60899]

(2) what form his bilateral discussions took in (a) Bologna in August and (b) Toulouse in August; and how many officials attended each with him. [60900]

The Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave him on 19 November 1998,Official Report, columns 742–46. All relevant information concerning flights was provided in that Answer.

In line with the practice adopted by the previous Administration appropriate officials and security personnel accompanied me for each meeting. In addition to my bilateral with Mr. Jospin, I also undertook an official visit to the Airbus facility in Toulouse.

My discussions with Mr. Jospin and Mr. Prodi, like all discussions between heads of Government, were on the basis that they would remain private.