§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyTo ask the Prime Minister what authority is necessary for Ministers to take(a) a spouse and (b) a partner on an overseas visit paid out of public funds; and how many such visits have taken place, and by which Ministers, since May 1997. [143162]
§ The Prime MinisterMinisters require my approval if they plan to take a spouse or partner on an overseas visit at public expense. However, no central record is kept of whether such visits actually take place after allowing for cancellation or postponement for parliamentary business or other reasons. Where a spouse or partner has accompanied a Minister on an overseas visit the cost is included in the figures published annually on Ministers? 441W visits overseas. Figures for 1999–2000 were published on 28 July 2000, Official Report, column 969W. This showed that the cost of travel in 1999–2000 was £4.6 million compared with £7.9 million in the last year of the previous Administration.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Prime Minister if he will list the visits overseas undertaken by Government Ministers costing in excess of £500 between 2 May 1997 and 31 December 2000 indicating(a) the cost, destination and purpose of the visit and (b) if the Minister was accompanied by a partner or spouse, indicating the name of their partner and the contribution to the cost of the trip made by the Minister towards the partner's expenses. [148563]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 2 February 2001]Lists of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more for the periods 2 May 1997 to 31 March 1999 and 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 have already been placed in the Libraries of the House. The annual list for travel during the period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 will be published in due course. In relation to the information requested about spouses or partners accompanying Ministers overseas I refer the hon. Member to my answer earlier today to the right hon. Member for South-West Surrey (Mrs. Bottomley),Official Report, columns 438–39W.