To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many air miles were travelled by Ministers in his Department in each year since 2000; and what estimate he has made of the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions produced as a result. (172236)

Since April 2006 emissions from central Government ministerial and official air travel has been offset through the Government Carbon Offsetting Fund. Departmental aviation emissions are calculated on an annual basis and subsequently offset through payments to the fund. The fund purchases certified emissions reduction credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with sustainable development benefits, located in developing countries.

The DEFRA website provides a comprehensive list of Government Carbon Offsetting Fund members, their emission figures and what activities they have offset through the fund, available at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/carbonoffset/government.htm

Figures for air miles and the resulting emissions from ministerial air travel are not collated separately from our overall figures and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

Since 1999, the Government have published on an annual basis a list of all overseas visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500. Copies of the lists are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many miles he and other Ministers in his Department travelled on short haul flights in the last 12 months; and what estimate he has made of the total amount of carbon emissions produced as a result of these flights. (172566)

Ministers in the NIO make regular short haul flights between London and Belfast to enable them to take forward departmental business in both Northern Ireland and meet their commitments at Westminster.

Since April 2006 emissions from central Government ministerial and official air travel has been offset through the Government Carbon Offsetting Fund. Departmental aviation emissions are calculated on an annual basis and subsequently offset through payments to the fund. The fund purchases certified emissions reduction credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with sustainable development benefits, located in developing countries.

The DEFRA website provides a comprehensive list of Government Carbon Offsetting Fund members, their emission figures and what activities they have offset through the fund, available at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/carbonoffset/government.htm

Figures for air miles and the resulting emissions from ministerial air travel are not collated separately from our overall figures and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

Since 1999, the Government have published on an annual basis a list of all overseas visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500. Copies of the lists are available in the Library of the House.