Written question asked by Lord Tyrie (Conservative) on Tuesday, 15 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 September 2003. It was answered by Lord Blunkett (Labour) on Monday, 1 September 2003 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on how many occasions between 31st March 2002 and 31st March 2003 (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisors have travelled abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions between 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2003 (a) departmental and (b) non- departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost. [126664] Mr. Blunkett: Between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2003, Special Advisers have accompanied myself abroad on five occasions1 at an average total cost of £3,8312 for all involved in the trip. The countries visited were Luxembourg, France and Denmark. In addition, one official visit was made by a Special Adviser to France in November 2002 at a total cost of £546.86. All travel by Special Advisers is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Civil Service Management Code. 1 Special Advisers also accompanied the Home Secretary to the USA during the period end March 2002/early April 2003. Costs for this trip fall with the current financial year. 2 The average cost of all trips involved is high as an RAF flight booked for one trip fell through at the last moment and attendance was only possible through a more expensive last minute charter.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 126664; 409 c999W;409 c999-1000W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Costs Government departments Home Office Special advisers Visits abroad
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk