§ Mr. TyrieTo ask the Prime Minister how many written approvals he has issued of overseas visits by special advisers accompanying a Minister since May 1997. [151561]
§ The Prime MinisterNo central log of such approvals is held. However, the cost of special advisers accompanying Ministers on overseas visits is included in the figures published annually on Ministers' visits overseas. Figures for 1999–2000 were published on 28 July 2000,Official Report, column 969W. This showed that expenditure on Ministerial overseas visits in 1999–2000 was £4.6 million compared with £7.9 million in the last year of the previous Administration.