§ Mr. Hoosonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether civil servants travelling abroad on business of Her Majesty's Government travel first class or tourist by air; and what are the critera for determining which class they travel.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe general Treasury rule is that officers of the rank of Under-Secretary and above travel first class on all flights and that Assistant Secretaries may travel first class on unbroken flights of at least four hours. All other officers are expected to travel economy class. Exceptions to this rule may be made on such grounds as the need to conduct official business within an hour or two of arrival after a lengthy flight and when Private Secretaries and senior officials have to be available for discussions with Ministers during the journey.