§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the visits outside Britain made by his Department's Permanent Secretary on official business since 1 January 1999, indicating the date and purpose of the visit in each case. [130488]
§ Mr. Chris SmithMy Permanent Secretary made two visits outside Britain in the specified period.
From 13 to 15 October 1999 inclusive he visited Paris and Berlin.
From 16 February to 18 February 2000 inclusive he visited Portugal and Madrid.
My Department is committed to improved collaboration with other Governments within the EU; and my Permanent Secretary has undertaken these visits to establish contact and good relations with his opposite numbers in a range of EU countries.