§ Mrs. Kellett-Bowmanasked the Minister for the Civil Service (1) what is the daily subsistence allowance paid to a member of the Government when travelling on parliamentary business abroad;
(2) what is the daily subsistence allowance paid to an assistant secretary when travelling abroad on Government business.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisA rate of subsistence for civil servants covering each period of 24 hours is calculated individually in local currency for most countries in the world. It is based on the cost of a hotel room (not luxury class), three meals, local taxis and service charges, plus a small sum for incidental expenses.
Members of Her Majesty's Government who travel abroad on public business invariably do so in their ministerial rather than parliamentary capacity. Where they do not stay in official accommodation on such travel, they are entitled to receive the same rates of subsistence as the most senior civil servants.