HC Deb 29 April 1999 vol 330 cc233-4W
Mr. Tyrie

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on how many occasions special advisers travelled abroad in an official capacity accompanied by Ministers; what was the average cost of each trip per head for the accompanying adviser; and what were the places visited. [82432]

Mr. Blunkett

Between 2 May 1997 and 31 March 1999, my Special Advisers have accompanied me and other Ministers on visits abroad in an official capacity within Europe or on European Presidency business on 12 occasions. All travel complied with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code. The average cost per head of civil servants, Ministers and advisers on such trips was £546.