§ Mr. LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the overseas trips on official business he has made since 1 January; and how many days he has spent overseas since 1 January. [126546]
§ Mr. Prescott[holding answer 19 June 2000]Since 1 January 2000 I have made the following overseas visits on official business
Sunday 12 to Friday 17 March:Brazil and United States. Meetings with President Cardoso and other Brazilian Ministers. Trade Promotion. Meetings with Carnival and Cunard shipping companies and discussions on aviation with US Secretary of Transportation.Friday 7 to Tuesday 11 April:Japan. Attend G8 Environment Ministers Conference. Meetings with Prime Minister Mori and other Japanese Ministers and with Honorary Chairman of Toyota.Tuesday 25 to Thursday 27 April:United States. Meetings with Vice President Gore and other members of US Administration. Discussions with Senators on climate change. Attend United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development.Sunday 4 June:France. Represent UK Government at 60th Anniversary Dunkirk.Sunday 11 to Thursday 15 June:Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Meeting with President Obasanjo and other Nigerian Ministers. Trade promotion. Meeting with President Kabbah and visit to UK troops in Sierra Leone.All travel has been undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many times(a) he, (b) the Minister for the Environment, (c) the Minister for Local Government and the Regions and (d) the Minister for Housing and Planning have come to their office in the last month (i) all or part of the way by official car and (ii) by other means. [126796]
§ Ms Beverley Hughes[holding answer 19 June 2000]Ministers travel by car and by public transport on a regular basis on official visits and on journeys to their offices.
Ministers are required under the Ministerial Code always to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements.