HC Deb 27 February 2002 vol 380 cc1269-70W
Norman Baker

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the parliamentary constituencies he has visited since 1 October 2001. [37770]

The Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Member for the answer I gave him on 19 November 2001,Official Report, column 104W.

Mr. Collins

To ask the Prime Minister for what reason his Chief of Staff accompanied him to Lord Levy's house during his visit of June 2001. [37973]

The Prime Minister

My Chief of Staff did not accompany me.

Mr. Collins

To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions members of the Policy Directorate have travelled overseas on official business since 7 June 2001; and if he will list the(a) destination and (b) total cost, including the (i) travel, (ii) accommodation and (iii) subsistence allowance for each occasion. [37964]

The Prime Minister

Since 7 June 2001, members of the Policy Directorate have travelled overseas on official business on 13 occasions. The average cost of official travel was approximately £1,000 per visit.

All visits have been made in accordance with the rules set out in the Civil Service Management Code. These arrangements follow the practice of successive Administrations.

Mr. Collins

To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions his(a) Chief of Staff and (b) Director of Communications and Strategy have formed part of the official party accompanying him on overseas visits since 1 May 1997; and if he will list the (a) destination and (b) total cost, including (i) travel, (ii) accommodation and (iii) subsistence allowance on each occasion. [37970]

The Prime Minister

Since 1 May 1997, my Chief of Staff has accompanied me on 35 official overseas visits and my Director of Communications has accompanied me on 77 official overseas visits. All visits have been made in accordance with the rules set out in the Civil Service Management Code. These arrangements follow the practice of successive Administrations.

Information on the total travel and accommodation costs is included in the detailed list of Cabinet Ministers' visits overseas and information on expenditure by all Ministers on travel overseas. Lists of overseas visits undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing more than £500 during the period 2 May 1997 to 31 March 2001 were placed in the Library of the House and published in the Official Report on 17 June 1999, columns 196-97W; on 28 July 2000, column 969W; and on 20 July 2001, column 467W. The list for the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year.

Mr. Collins

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions his chief of staff had with Her Majesty's Ambassador in Bucharest in June and July 2001; and what matters were discussed. [37968]

The Prime Minister

None.