Hansard

Overseas Travel

Volume 328: debated on Wednesday 24 March 1999

Download text
Back to top Previous debate Next debate
The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.
Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, for each overseas trip by his Ministers and officials, since 1 May 1997 (a) the individuals who travelled, (b) the total costs of the trip broken down as available, (c) the destination of the trip and (d) the reason for the trip; and if he will make a statement. [69253]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 4 February 1999]: All overseas visits by Ministers are conducted in accordance with the principles set out in the Ministerial Code. Information in the form requested is not held centrally and could be collated only at disproportionate cost. The figures given are estimates of costs attributable to officials. In accordance with convention the names of officials who accompany a Minister have not been given.

Date

Destination

Reason

Personnel

£

20–21 OctoberLuxembourgAgriculture CouncilLord Sewel and Private Secretary1,345
20–22 OctoberIrelandGaelic related issuesBrian Wilson500
29–31 OctoberLuxembourgFisheries CouncilLord Sewel, Private Secretary and 2 officials3,160
19–20 NovemberBrusselsEducation CouncilBrian Wilson, Private Secretary and official1,590
1–2 DecemberBrusselsGive St. Andrew's Day Lecture and meet EU CommissionerSecretary of State, Private Secretary and official1,315
8 DecemberLuxembourgESDP BilateralsMalcolm Chisholm, Private Secretary and 2 officials2,465
17–18 DecemberBrusselsFisheries CouncilLord Sewel, Private Secretary and official2,140

1998

12–13 JanuaryCopenhagen and StockholmESDP BilateralCalum Macdonald, Private Secretary and 2 officials2,100
20–22 JanuaryHelsinki and BonnESDP BilateralCalum Macdonald, Private Secretary and 2 officials2,900
25–26 FebruaryParisESDP BilateralCalum Macdonald, Private Secretary and official900
11–12 MarchDublinESDP BilateralCalum Macdonald, Private Secretary and 2 officials1,200
12–14 MarchMadrid, Toledo and BarcelonaFact finding visit for Scottish ParliamentSecretary of State, Private Secretary and 2 officials3,500
24 MarchBrusselsFisheries CouncilLord Sewel, Private Secretary and official1,150
25–27 MarchNiceMETREXCalum Macdonald, Private Secretary and official1,800
2 AprilParisESDP BilateralCalum Macdonald, Private Secretary and 2 officials1,300
14–16 AprilHelsinkiFact finding visit for Scottish ParliamentHenry McLeish, Private Secretary and 3 officials4,800
25–30 AprilUSAInward investment promotionBrian Wilson, Private Secretary and official15,000
28 AprilBrusselsEuropean Seafood ExpositionLord Sewel, Private Secretary and official1,900
29–30 AprilLuxembourgHealth CouncilSam Galbraith, Private Secretary and 2 officials2,400
22 MayCataniaConference of Peripheral Maritime RegionsCalum Macdonald, Private Secretary and official2,200
27 MayBrusselsCommunicable Diseases CouncilSam Galbraith, Private Secretary and official1,100
1–4 JuneLisbonEuropean Forestry Ministers ConferenceLord Sewel and Private Secretary1,800
3–4 JuneLuxembourgEducation CouncilBrian Wilson, Private Secretary and official1,700
8 JuneLuxembourgFisheries CouncilLord Sewel, Private Secretary and 3 officials4,400
10–11 JuneParisAttend Opening Match of FIFA World Cup FinalsSecretary of State, Private Secretary and 1 official1,400
14–17 JuneBordeauxTrade promotion and attend FIFA World Cup MatchBrian Wilson and Private Secretary1,200
17–19 JuneStrasbourg, Brussels and BonnMeet Ministers to discuss European affairs and structural fundsCalum Macdonald, Private Secretary and official2,700
23–24 JuneSt. EtienneAttend FIFA World Cup MatchCalum Macdonald and official500
25–27 JunePragueMeet European Education MinistersBrian Wilson, Private Secretary and 2 officials3,950
9–12 SeptemberKuala LumpurAttend Commonwealth GamesSam Galbraith, Private Secretary and official14,355
21–22 OctoberLuxembourgFisheries CouncilCalum Macdonald, Private Secretary1,130
13–15 NovemberGranadaAttend British-Spanish TertuliasSecretary of State and Private Secretary2,025
23–24 NovemberBrusselsAgriculture CouncilLord Sewel, Private Secretary and official1,880
23–25 NovemberMunich and HelsinkiAddress Scotland Bavaria Forum and meet Finnish Env. Affairs MinisterCalum Macdonald, Private Secretary and official (Helsinki only)3,545
17–18 DecemberBrusselsFisheries CouncilLord Sewel and Private Secretary1,275
21 DecemberBrusselsEnvironment CouncilLord Sewel and Private Secretary1,045

1999

7–8 FebruaryGothenbergMeet Volvo senior managersLord Macdonald, Private Secretary and official1,110
8–10 FebruaryStrasbourgVisit European Parliament and address MEPs on devolution issuesSecretary of State, Private Secretary and 4 officials5,115
16 FebruaryBonnMeet German Finance MinisterSecretary of State, Private Secretary and 2 officials2,440
22–26 FebruaryBrusselsAgriculture CouncilLord Sewel, Private Secretary and 2 officials2,635

The cost of these visits is part of this Administration's expenditure on ministerial overseas travel which in 1997–98 was £6.1 compared to £7.8 million in the last year of the previous administration.