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Written question asked by Jerome Mayhew (Conservative) on Thursday, 14 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 May 2026 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Tuesday, 19 May 2026. A substantive answer was provided by Simon Lightwood (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Department for Transport: Aviation

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to the Cayman Islands; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

Answer

The Department for Transport (DfT) has a statutory requirement under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code to monitor port security in the British Overseas Territories.

The visit in 2025 was to deliver security assessments of ISPS port facilities. Meetings were also conducted, including with the Governor’s Office, police and with port security officials.

The visit involved one Senior Executive Officer (SEO) and one Higher Executive Officer (HEO).

The total cost of the visit was £7727.23

Both visits were approved by a Deputy Director (Senior Civil Servant) in DfT’s Transport Security Directorate in line with departmental policy.

The majority of DfT’s port security engagement with the Overseas Territories is undertaken online, however an effective assessment on whether a port is delivering on its security requirements is most effectively completed by an onsite visit.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
1282
Session
2026-27
Related items
Department for Transport: Aviation
Tuesday, 24 March 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Aviation Department for Transport Cayman Islands
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk