An ion transfer arrangement for transporting ions between higher and lower pressure regions of the mass spectrometer comprises an ion transfer conduit 60. The conduit 60 has an inlet opening towards a relatively high pressure chamber 40 and an outlet 70 opening towards a relatively low pressure chamber. The conduit 60 also has at least one side wall surrounding an ion transfer channel 115. The side wall includes a plurality of apertures 140 formed in the longitudinal direction of the side wall so as to permit a flow of gas from within the ion transfer channel 115 to a lower pressure region outside of the side wall of the conduit 60.