To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many overseas visits were made by (a) officials and (b) Ministers within his responsibility, and at what cost, in each year since 1997. (151660)

Details of overseas visits by officials over the last seven financial years are set out in the following table.

In respect of overseas travel by Cabinet Ministers, since 1999, the Government has published on an annual basis, a list of all overseas visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500, as well as the total cost of all ministerial travel overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. Information for 2006-07 is currently being compiled and will be published before the summer recess. All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code and the Ministerial Code.