HC Deb 27 April 1978 vol 948 cc643-4W
Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler

asked the Minister for the Civil Service (1) what was the total cost of economy class journeys by air by civil servants on Government business in the last 12 months to the latest convenient date;

(2) what was the total cost of first class journeys by air by civil servants on Government business in the last 12 months to the latest convenient date;

(3) how many first class journeys by air were made by civil servants on Government business in the last 12 months to the latest convenient date;

(4) what was the total cost of first class journeys by air by Members of Parliament on Government business in the last 12 months to the latest convenient date;

(5) what was the total cost of economy class journeys by air by Ministers on Government business in the last 12 months to the latest convenient date;

(6) what was the total cost of first class journeys by air by Ministers on Government business in the last 12 months to the latest convenient date;

(7) how many first class journeys by air were made by Ministers on Government business in the last 12 months to the latest convenient date.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

This information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler

asked the Minister for the Civil Service by what criteria the class of air travel for civil servants on Government business overseas is determined.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

Civil servants of the grade of under-secretary and above are entitled to first-class travel on all flights. Those graded assistant secretary and above but below under-secretary have the same entitlement on flights of at least four hours flying time without a break, but on shorter flights travel economy class. Other civil servants travel economy class on all flights. They may, however, travel first class in certain specified circumstances, for example, when necessarily travelling for official reasons in company with a person, not a United Kingdom civil servant, who is travelling first class.