Written question asked by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Thursday, 12 May 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 May 2011. It was answered by Owen Paterson (Conservative) on Thursday, 19 May 2011 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on special advisers' travel by (a) Government car, (b) private hire car, (c) train, (d) bus, (e) commercial aircraft and (f) private aircraft since May 2010.

Answer: The Northern Ireland Office has spent the following amounts on special advisers' travel from May 2010 to 16 May 2011:"(a) Government car: Nil;""(b) Private hire car: Nil;""(c) Train: £974.06;""(d) Bus: Nil;""(e) Commercial aircraft: £16,508.67;""(f) Private aircraft: Nil."Unlike the previous Administration which routinely used a private jet for travel between Great Britain and Northern Ireland by the Secretary of State, all such journeys since this Administration came to office have been taken on commercial aircraft at a considerable saving to the taxpayer.

Secondary information