HC Deb 22 October 1998 vol 317 cc1175-6W
Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the overseas visits between 1 July and 19 October on which Ministers have been accompanied by special advisers and, for each trip,(a) the name of the adviser, (b) the class and cost of travel booked for the adviser, (c) the class of travel actually used by the adviser and (d) the accommodation and ancillary costs for the adviser. [55996]

Clare Short

The Ministerial Code requires Ministers always to make efficient and cost effective travel arrangements. In line with the practice of successive Administrations, civil servants (including Special Advisers) accompanying Ministers on overseas visits are entitled to use the same class of travel as the Minister they are accompanying to facilitate briefings and discussions. Ministers in this Department were accompanied by two civil servants and a Special Adviser on an overseas visit to Tanzania and Kenya at a cost of £14,054.30. This is the total cost, including hotels, for all members of the delegation.