To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) Ministers and (b) officials from her Department are planning to attend the winter Olympics in Vancouver in February 2010; and what estimate she has made of the cost of such attendance. (310848)

Since 1999 the Government have published on an annual basis a list of all overseas visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500, as well as the total cost of all ministerial travel overseas. From 2007-08 the list was extended to include all Ministers. The list also provides information on the number of officials who accompany Ministers. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House. Information for 2009-10 will be published as soon as the information is available.

All travel by Ministers and civil servants is undertaken in accordance with the “Ministerial Code and Civil Service Management Code” respectively.