The Labour politician joined Ribble Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans on the visit to the sun-kissed Caribbean island in his role as vice-chairman of the Cayman Islands All Party Parliamentary Group.

The validity of the trip has been questioned by campaign group the Taxpayer's Alliance.

Mark Wallace, campaign director of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said 'fact-finding' trips like these concerned him.

He said: "I think MPs should search their own consciences before going on these trips.

"I think some parliamentary trips don't have value."

The MPs enjoyed temperatures of 32C (90F) over six days as they toured galleries, tasted local food and learned about Caymanian history.

They also held meetings with island officials, discussing issues such as its educational system and a recent hurricane.

The trip was paid for by Cayman Islands government. The trip follows months of controversy surrounding MPs expenses.

Mr Hoyle defended the trip by the Cayman Islands All Party Parliamentary Group of which he is vice-chairman. He said: "I was invited by the Cayman Islands' Government to take part in a delegation for six days.

"This consisted of a large number of meetings to discuss issues about the new constitution and relations with the United Kingdom. It was nearly all work-related but, on Sunday afternoon, we had some free time."

His colleague Mr Evans said: "The only way you can see the problems that the islands face is if you go and see it for yourself."

Mr Hoyle said visiting the islands would help him 'voice the Caymanian perspective' in the UK Parliament when matters were raised.

Meanwhile, South Ribble MP David Borrow has visited Iraq and Afghanistan over the last six weeks along with other members of the House of Commons' Defence Select Committee, which he said funded the trips.

He has also visited Malawi, funded by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

+ The Cayman Islands are a British Overseas Territory in the western Caribbean Sea.

A Governor is appointed by Westminster to represent the Queen on the islands.