To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. (262184)

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. The information is also available at:

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/cabinetoffice/propriety_and_ethics/assets/travel_2007_2008.pdf

The information for the financial year 2008-09 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the financial year. All travel by Ministers is undertaken in accordance with the “Ministerial Code”.

The expenditure incurred in respect of overseas visits by senior officials is made in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code and the requirement to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. However, the details for 2008 could be collected only at disproportionate cost.