§ Mr. MacFarquharasked the Secretary of State for Employment 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. John GrantThe records of reimbursement of travel costs incurred by civil servants in my Department do not differentiate between the various forms of transport used. I am, therefore, unable to give the information requested. The only civil servants normally entitled to30W travel first class by air are those graded under-secretary and above, and also those at assistant secretary level when making flights of at least four hours flying time without a break. Other civil servants are only allowed to travel first class if, for example, they have to accompany a more senior officer who is himself entitled to first-class travel.