asked the Minister for Education if she or her Minister of State has directed any of the staff employed in her or his departmental constituency office to travel to or work directly in the local constituency clinic; if such practice, if any, is in the public interest; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Ministerial Staff.
278.
No such direction was given to staff in my constituency office. In the case of the Minister of State at my Department, his personal secretary travelled to and worked in his constituency for a period of 11 days. Another official of his constituency office travelled to and worked in the constituency over a period of two days. These arrangements were considered necessary by the Minister of State in order to have his constituency affairs dealt with in his absence on ministerial duties.