§ Mrs. ShephardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 28 January 1999,Official Report, column 335, if he will list (a) the departure and arrival points for the RAF plane and helicopter flights on (i) 3 May 1997, (ii) 23 July 1997, (iii) 22 January 1998, (iv) 23 March 1998 and (v) 26 September 1998 and (b) the RAF units to which the planes or helicopters were attached. [69098]
§ Mr. Prescott[holding answer 4 February 1999]: The information requested is in the table.
Departure point Arrival point RAF Unit 3 May 1997 Wembley Kensington Palace N.32 Squadron 23 July 1997 Northolt Manchester Airport N.32 Squadron 2 January 1998 Northolt Riga N.32 Squadron 23 March 1998 Humberside Brussels N.32 Squadron Airport Brussels Northolt 26 September 1998 Stanstead Blackpool N.32 Squadron Ministers are required under the Ministerial Code to always make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements.
In 1997–98 this Government spent £6.1 million on Ministers' visits overseas. The spend on overseas visits between April and December 1998 is £4 million. This compares to £7.8 million and £6.9 million for the last two years of the previous administration.