To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the total number of occasions when (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity since 2 May 1997, unaccompanied by Ministers. [77980]

There have been no occasions since 2 May 1997 when the special adviser employed by my Department has travelled abroad in an official capacity unaccompanied by Ministers. Neither the Lord Chancellor nor I have any non-departmental special advisers.