§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what grades in the Civil Service in his Department are allowed to travel by air(a) first class and (b) business class at public expense when on official duties. [104971]
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§ Mr. RammellIn flights of less than three hours duration, all staff travel economy class except officers in the Senior Management Structure with Job Evaluation Senior Posts (JESP) weightings of 13 or higher who travel business class.
In flights of more than three hours duration, all staff travel business class except officers in the Senior Management Structure with job weightings of JESP 22 or higher who travel first class. If no business class is available, officers in the Senior Management Structure with job weightings of JESP 13 and above travel first class and other officers travel economy class.
Exceptions can be made sparingly on a case by case basis for the following reasons:
Urgent or unforeseen journeys when no lower class seats are availablePolitical or protocol reasonsOperational reasons when a junior officer is accompanying a senior officerCost effective reasons when it is cheaper to upgrade (e.g. to save excess baggage charges).