§ Mr. CollinsTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many letters to hon. Members were sent by him during his official visits overseas between 26 November and 11 December; and, of these, how many were(a) personally signed by him and (b) signed on his behalf by others. [25643]
The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of StateThroughout my visit, I continued to deal with the work of my Department clearing letters and other business as appropriate.
§ Mr. CollinsTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what commercial sponsorship was(a) sought and (b) received for his activities during his official visits overseas between 26 November and 11 December. [25642]
§ Mr. CollinsTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what was the total cost incurred by the travelling party during his official visits overseas between 26 November and 11 December; [25637]
36W(2) at which hotels and other facilities he stayed during his official visits overseas between 26 November and 11 December; [25639]
(3) how many officials acompanied him during his official visits overseas between 26 November and 11 December. [25636]
The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of StateSince 1999, this Government have published an annual list of overseas visits undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing more than £500 or more during each financial year. Details of visits overseas for 2001–02 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year.
My recent visit overseas was undertaken fully in accordance with the "Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers", copies of which are available in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. CollinsTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what representations he made on behalf of UK companies during his official visits overseas between 26 November and 11 December; [25641]
(2) on how many days during his official visits overseas between 26 November and 11 December he had fewer than (a) two hours and (b) four hours of official meetings; [25645]
(3) which (a) Ministers and (b) officials of other Governments he met during his official visits overseas between 26 November and 11 December; [25638]
which agreements were reached with other Governments during his official visits overseas between 26 November and 11 December; and if he will publish the full text of each; [25640]
(5) if he will make a statement on the purposes and results of his official visits overseas between 26 November and 11 December. [25644]
The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of StateOn behalf of the Prime Minister, I visited the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia and Vietnam from 27 November to 11 December. In the United States I had meetings with the UN Secretary General, the Vice-President and Senators. I visited 37W Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Vietnam as a guest of their Governments and met their Prime Ministers, other Ministers and businessmen.
I discussed the situation in Afghanistan and the global alliance against terrorism; the World Summit on Sustainable Development; and trade and other bilateral issues.