Department for Transport written question – answered at on 22 April 2026.
Shivani Raja
Conservative, Leicester East
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the flights listed to the British Virgin Islands in WPQ 120039, a) what the purpose was of each such visit; b) which Ministers or senior officials approved each visit; c) how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; d) what the total cost was of each visit; and e) what assessment was made of whether those engagements could be conducted remotely or combined with other travel.
Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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.
Both visits in 2025 were security assessments of 13 port facilities undertaken within five days on each visit. Meetings were also conducted, including with the Governor’s Office, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and with port security officials. DfT officials additionally delivered capability‑building training during the April visit, supporting enhanced security delivery at port facilities
The April visit involved three officials – two Senior Executive Officers (SEOs) and one Higher Executive Officer (HEO). The November visit involved one SEO and one HEO. No Ministers or Senior Officials attended.
The total cost of the April visit was £11,581.19. November was £12,706.58.
Both visits were approved by a Deputy Director (Senior Civil Servant) in DfT’s Transport Security Division 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 best completed by an onsite visit.
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