§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 2 March,Official Report, column 62, of the families accompanying the nine officers in first class, how many were dependent children.
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§ Mr. GoodladIncluded in the families accompanying the nine officers in first class were two dependent children.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 2 March,Official Report, column 62, what was the cost in the last year for which figures are available for officials and advisers travelling first class on duty journeys in the company of Ministers.
§ Mr. GoodladFor the diplomatic wing, in the 12 months to 31 January 1993, the cost of first-class air travel for officials and advisers accompanying Ministers was £98,763, less rebates which the FCO will receive as part of its travel management contract.
For the overseas development wing, in the 12 months to 31 January 1993, the cost of first-class air travel for officials and advisers accompanying Ministers was £39,805, less rebates which the ODA will receive as part of its travel management contract.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 2 March,Official Report, column 62, what were the operational reasons which required 12 officers to travel first class to their posts abroad in the last year; and what was the grade of the officer who travelled first class by virtue of his grade.
§ Mr. GoodladIt is policy that ambassadors and high commissioners should fly first class on first arrival at and on final departure from the country to which they are accredited. It is expected that they will have to meet high-ranking members of the host Government and that they may have to give a statement to the press immediately before or after their journeys. They should not, therefore, travel below the status expected of them. They are also usually travelling at the end of hectic periods of briefing or debriefing. These were the operational reasons in the 12 cases cited. The other officer, also being appointed as ambassador, who travelled first class by virtue of his grade, was graded at salary point 1 of the senior grade.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 2 March,Official Report, column 62, how many private secretaries and officers travelled first class in the 12 months to January.
§ Mr. GoodladFor the diplomatic wing, in the 12 months to 31 January 1993, 36 private secretaries and officers travelled in first class on duty journeys overseas.
For the overseas development wing, in the 12 months to 31 January 1993, 55 private secretaries and officers travelled first class on duty journeys overseas.