§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his Department's policy on the(a) class and (b) mode of travel abroad for Ministers and public servants. [25553]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 26 January 1998]: The rules for DCMS Ministers, as for Ministers generally, are that the Secretary of State is entitled to use the best available class of air travel for all journeys by air. Junior Ministers may travel by the best available class for flights lasting longer than 2½ hours but should normally travel by Club or equivalent class, or economy class when an intermediate class is not available, on flights of less than 2½ hours.
The rules for Officials are set out in the DCMS Staff Handbook and I shall write to the right hon. Member to let him have a copy of the relevant pages. Copies of my reply will be place in the Libraries of the House.
The objective throughout is to secure value for money, striking a suitable balance between economy and convenience.