To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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.[76823]

[holding answer 19 March 1999]: Since 2 May 1997, my Special Advisers have made visits overseas on four occasions in an official capacity. All such travel complied with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.