To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much expenditure was incurred in respect of overseas visits which (a) he, (b) other Ministers in his Department and (c) his Department's senior officials undertook in 2008. (262178)

Since 1999, the Government have published a list of all overseas travel by Cabinet Ministers costing over £500. Information for the financial year 2007-08 was published on 22 July 2008, Official Report, column 102WS, and for the first time included details of overseas visits undertaken by all Ministers. All travel by Ministers is undertaken in accordance with the ‘Ministerial Code’. Information going beyond what is already published can be provided only at disproportionate cost.