To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions a special adviser accompanied him on official business abroad; and at what cost to the public purse in each year between 1997 and 2006. (130292)

Since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more along with the total cost of all ministerial travel. Copies of these lists are available in the Library of the House. The number of officials, including special advisers, accompanying Ministers on visits overseas and the total cost of each visit is included in the list.

All Ministers' travel arrangements are in accordance with the arrangements for official travel set out in chapter 10 of the ‘Ministerial Code’, and the accompanying guidance document, ‘Travel by Ministers’.

To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions his wife accompanied him on official business abroad at the public expense, and at what cost, in each year between 1997 and 2006. (130293)

My wife accompanies me on official visits overseas as appropriate. The costs of official visits are included in the annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more. Since 2005, the details of the visits where I have been accompanied by my wife have also been included in the annual list. Copies are available in the Library of the House.