§ Baroness Gould of Potternewtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
(a) What was their expenditure on ministerial overseas visits for the financial years 1996–97 to 2002–03 and (b) what visits overseas were taken by Cabinet Ministers between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2003 which cost in excess of £500 and what the cost, destination and purpose of each of these visits were. [HL4073]
§ Lord Williams of MostynExpenditure 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 2002–03 5.7 The figure for 2002–03 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 2002 to 31 March 2003 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 costs of Ministers' travel and accommodation where appropriate.