§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what modes of transport he used to travel to the Czech Republic in the week beginning 11 March; what the total cost was of his travel expenditure; how many officials accompanied him; what the total cost of the visit was; and how long he took to travel there and to return. [45280]
§ Mr. TouhigNone: my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made no official visit to the Czech Republic.
However, I undertook a visit to the Czech Republic from 11 to 13 March. The main objective of my visit was to meet and to support a trade mission organised by Wales Trade International. The trade mission comprised seven Welsh companies, drawn from throughout Wales, each of which was establishing first contacts in the Czech Republic. In supporting the trade mission, I highlighted the benefits—for individuals and for firms—of a wider Europe, both for the applicant countries and for the UK as a whole, and for Wales in particular.
The further objectives of my visit included confirming the United Kingdom's support for the enlargement of the EU and the sharing of experience of regenerating a former coal-mining and steel-making region.
I travelled to the Czech Republic by train at a cost of £816.60. I was accompanied by my private secretary and by one senior policy official. The total cost of the visit 615W was £3,174.99. The outward journey took 18 and a half hours and the return journey took 19 and a half hours. My outward journey was made on a Sunday; both journeys entailed travelling overnight.