§ David DavisTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the(a) foreign visits, and (b) visits to within the United Kingdom he has made since 1 April; what the cost was to public funds of each trip; who he met; and what gifts were received. [126913]
§ Yvette CooperThe Government publishes the overall costs of all ministerial overseas travel and a list of all visits overseas by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500 on an annual basis. The list for the period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003 was published by the Prime1292W Minister on 16 July 2003, Official Report, column 482W. The next list for the period 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004 will be published at the end of the financial year.
In respect of gifts received, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 14 March 2003, Official Report, column 482W.
Between 1 April 2003 and 30 August 2003, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister travelled on official business within the United Kingdom visiting Ashford (Kent), Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Castle Bromwich, Chester, Coventry, Doncaster, Edinburgh, Harlow Town, Harrogate, Hastings, Hull, the Lake District, Lancaster, Leicester, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Market Warsop, Moreton-in-Marsh, Newcastle, Peterborough, Sandwell, Southampton, Wakefield and Watford at an average cost of £224 per trip. The information requested on individuals who he met is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.