To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many (a) staff and (b) ministerial away days have been organised by his Department since its inception; and what the cost was of such events. (266209)

The Department was created on 28 June 2007. Information on away days for employees is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the organisation of meetings outside the Department’s buildings will be based on sound planning and, where accommodation costs and other charges are involved, our policies on appropriateness and value for money.

There have been no ministerial away days since the inception of the Department.