§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Lord President of the Council if he will publish the guidelines governing the payment of fares for Opposition spokesmen and women and Select Committee chairmen who attend meetings on the subjects for which they have special responsibility.
§ Mr. WakehamThe guidelines governing the payment of fares by the House to Opposition spokesmen and women are the same as those for all right hon. and hon. Members. These guidelines are set out in the Fees Office publication "Parliamentary Salaries, Allowances and Pensions," copies of which have already been placed in the Library and issued to right hon. and hon. Members, on an individual basis, for retention. In so far as the purposes of journeys made by Opposition spokesmen and women fall within the terms of the appropriate resolution of the House, the cost to the party concerned may be reimbursed under the scheme for financial assistance to Opposition parties ("Short money").
In accordance with the aforementioned guidelines, Select Committee Chairmen may, with the authorisation of their Committee, undertake visits within the United Kingdom for purposes related wholly and necessarily to the work of the Select Committee at public expense. Additionally, Select Committee Chairmen may also travel overseas on official visits, subject to prior approval by the Liaison Committee. The criteria by which the Liaison Committee judges applications for such expenditure are the responsibility of that Committee. However, in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the House of Commons Commission, Members travelling outside Europe use club class air fares only, whilst those travelling within Europe use club or economy class, as appropriate.