§ Baroness Lockwoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will list (a) government expenditure on ministerial overseas visits for the financial years 1996–97 to 2001–02 and (b) all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500 between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002, including the cost, destination and purpose of each visit. [HL5593]
§ Lord Macdonald of TradestonExpenditure on ministerial overseas visits for the period requested is estimated as follows:
Year £ million 1996–97 7.9 2 May 1997 to 31 March 1998 6.4 1998–99 4.9 1999–2000 4.6 2000–01 4.7 2001–02 5.6 The figure for 2001–02 reflects payments made so far for travel undertaken in this period; a few bills have yet to be submitted to departments for payment.
A list of all visits overseas undertaken by cabinet ministers costing £500 or more during the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 has been placed in the Libraries of the House. The list provides details of the date, destination and purpose of all such visits and the cost of ministers' travel and accommodation where appropriate.