§ Mr. CollinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions since 1 May 1997(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity; and if he will list the total cost, including (i) travel, (ii) accommodation and (iii) subsistence allowance, for each occasion. [37980]
§ Mr. MacShane[holding answer 27 February, 2002]: Between 1 April 2000 and 31 March 2001, special advisers in my Department travelled abroad in an official capacity on eight occasions, at an average cost of £3,039.04 per trip. Information for the period 2 May 1997 to 31 March 2000 is already in the public domain. All travel by special advisers is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the ministerial code, and the civil service management code.