Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 10 October 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 October 2005. It was answered by Baroness Jowell (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 November 2005 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Ministerial Travel

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many air miles were accrued through departmental ministerial travel in 2004–05, broken down by Minister; how many were (a) foregone and (b) donated to charity, broken down by charity; and whether air miles accrued by officials were required to be (i) foregone and (ii) given to charity.

Answer: I have accrued 49,908 air miles from Ministerial, travel in 2004–05.No air miles were accrued by other Ministers.Ministerial travel is conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers. Guidance for Ministers on the use of air miles is set out in the Ministerial Code. The guidance makes clear that air miles should be used only for official purposes or else foregone. However, if it is impracticable to use the benefits for Government travel, there is no objection to Ministers donating them to charity of these is permissible under the terms of the airline's scheme and the charity is one chosen by the airline.Similar rules are in place for officials.My air miles were collected in order that they will go towards helping young athletes with their travel costs.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 439 c1820W;439 c1822W; 17330
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP 06/1519
Wednesday, 9 August 2006
Deposited papers
House of Commons
Subjects: Aviation Government departments Ministers Travel Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk