§ Mr. MacFarquharasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many civil servants in his Department have travelled first class by air on official business in each of the past three years; what was the cost of their tickets; and how much would have been saved if they had travelled economy class.
§ Mr. BennI regret that this information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The only civil servants normally entitled to travel first class by air are those graded under secretary and above, and also those 13W at assistant secretary level when making flights of at least four hours flying time without a break. Other civil servants are allowed to travel first class only if, for example, it is essential that they accompany a more senior officer who is himself entitled to first class travel.