HC Deb 28 April 1969 vol 782 c918
6 and 7. Mr. Ian Lloyd

asked the Minister for the Civil Service (1) what categories of civil servant travelling abroad on Government business are normally required to finance their official foreign currency requirements from their personal resources, pending subsequent reimbursement; and

(2) what arrangements are made to provide foreign currency in advance to those categories of civil servant who are not normally required to finance their official foreign currency requirements from their personal resources when travelling abroad on Government business.

Mrs. Hart

No civil servant is required to meet the official expenses of a visit overseas from his own resources. If he wishes, he can get an accountable advance in sterling from his Department.

Mr. Lloyd

That is a very interesting reply. If these arrangements are possible for civil servants, why not for Members of Parliament?

Mrs. Hart

I understand that in fact hon. Members can receive sterling advances, but detailed arrangements are of course a matter for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. I know that the hon. Member had some difficulty in a recent experience. I hope that it has been sufficiently clarified by the correspondence he has had. If not, no doubt he will raise it further with the Foreign Secretary or me.