§ Mr. TyrieTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the total number of occasions when(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental Special Advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity since 2 May 1997. [76819]
§ Mr. Nick BrownBetween 2 May 1997 and 28 February 1999, Special Advisers in this Department have made visits overseas on 12 occasions in an official capacity. All travel complied with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code. Costs are accounted for within the total costs for any overseas trips by Ministers. I have 2 departmental operational advisers and no non-departmental special advisers.
There have been no occasions since 2 May 1997 when Special Advisers in this Department have travelled abroad in an official capacity unaccompanied by Ministers.