To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many overseas visits UK Human Trafficking Centre staff have undertaken in each of the last three years; what the destination was of each such visit; and what the total cost of such visits was. (272050)

[holding answer 30 April 2009]: Figures for the past three years are not available .

However, since 18 March 2008 UKHTC staff have undertaken 45 trips abroad that have incurred a total expense of £23,760.67.

These trips have been predominantly to European destinations, with other trips to the USA and Saudi Arabia. The purpose of these visits has been to take forward work to progress co-operation on human trafficking with our European and international partners.

This has included operational matters, joint training with the International Organisation of Migration and the Irish police, the launch of the Irish Blue Blindfold campaign and the signature of an intelligence sharing MoU with the US Human Smuggling and Trafficking Centre.