HC Deb 29 October 1998 vol 318 cc225-6W
Mr. MacShane

To ask the President of the Council if she will seek an increase in her Vote to allow hon. Members to travel once a year to each EU member state for the purpose of meeting members of national parliaments of EU member states. [57311]

Mrs. Beckett

Since the amount spent on the EU travel scheme at present is significantly less than the annual budget, any extension of the scheme would not require an increase in the Voted expenditure.

Mr. MacShane

To ask the President of the Council how many(a) Labour, (b) Conservative and (c) Liberal Democrat hon. Members took advantage of their right to annual travel to an EU institution in each year since 1994. [57310]

Mrs. Beckett

With the exception of Financial Assistance to Opposition Parties the financial records supporting the Members' Vote are not analysed by party. The information requested is not available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

The total number of Members who travelled to EU Institutions, analysed by financial year, is as follows:

  • 1994–95: 93
  • 1995–96: 97
  • 1996–97: 77
  • 1997–98: 89

Forward to