Written question asked by Emily Thornberry (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 November 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 November 2023 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Tuesday, 14 November 2023. A substantive answer was provided by David Rutley (Conservative) on Friday, 17 November 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Visits Abroad

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Department's publication of ministerial travel data for April to June 2023, how much of the published £38,555.99 cost of his trip to Japan, the Pacific Islands, New Zealand and Indonesia from 15 to 22 April was made up of his (a) share of the £561,531.04 cost of the flights for that trip, (b) accommodation and (c) meals and other expenses.

Answer

Overall figures of government spend are regularly published as part of transparency releases. These figures could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

Foreign travel is a vital part of diplomacy. It is in the national interest that the Foreign Secretary and other Ministers travel abroad to pursue UK interests. Value for money is taken into account in all travel decisions.

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Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

109

Session

2023-24

Grouped for answer

Yes

Subjects

Expenditure Japan New Zealand Visits abroad Indonesia Pacific Islands Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk