§ Mr. Christopher ChopeTo ask the Prime Minister (1) what the total budget of his Office is for official travel in 2002–2003 [84926]
(2) what the total expenditure of (a) his Department and (b) its agencies was on official travel in 2001–02. [84788]
§ The Prime MinisterSince 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Details of travel undertaken during the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 was published on 24 July 2002,Official Report, columns 1374–75W. The cost of Ministers' visits overseas for 2002–2003 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House.
All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.
For information about members of my office, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr Tyrie) on Thursday 20 June 2002, Official Report, columns 462–3W.