Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on Wednesday said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] could undertake a foreign visit during the Parliament session, but other ministers should not go abroad without his permission.

After a luncheon meeting with leaders of political parties for smooth functioning of the upcoming winter session, Chatterjee said all senior ministers should be present during the debate on the Indo-US nuclear deal in the absence of the prime minister next week.

"The Prime Minister is also leading the government in this country... India has to interact in the international sphere. Therefore, when the request comes for attending these conferences, I think we should pay respect to the prime minister and of the nation's international obligation," he told reporters when pointed out that Singh would be travelling to Singapore and Uganda from November 22 when Parliament is expected to discuss the nuclear deal.

"But, where I am concerned I have already expressed my view that no other minister should go out of country without my permission," Chatterjee said.

The winter session of Parliament will begin on Thursday and a debate on the nuclear deal is on top of the agenda.
Singh will visit Singapore on November 20 for the ASEAN summit following which he will go to Uganda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meet.

On whether a discussion will be allowed on Nandigram episode, Chatterjee said a decision on it will be taken later.
 The Speaker had called the meeting to impress upon the political parties to ensure smooth conduct of the House.