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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Ministers who have served in the current Government since 1997 have used aircraft in the Queen's Flight for visits which have been wholly or partially of a personal nature; on what dates such visits took place; and which Ministers have made payments to the taxpayer to cover the cost of that usage. [208261] Mr. Caplin: The Ministry of Defence is not routinely made aware whether ministerial usage of No.32 (The Royal) Squadron is wholly or partially of a personal nature. "Travel by Ministers" makes clear that special flights may be authorised when a scheduled service is not available, or when it is essential to travel by air, but the requirements of official or parliamentary business or security considerations or urgency preclude the journey being made by a scheduled service. In respect of overseas travel by Ministers, since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The list published in 1999 covers the period 2 May 1997 to 31 March 1999. Where RAF/ Private Charter aircraft are used this is shown in the list. Where there is an element of personal business, this is also shown. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of these are available in the Library of the House. Information for 2004-05 will be published in due course. All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

432 c785-6W; 208261

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Payments Ministers Travel Queen's flight

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk