§ Sir Sydney ChapmanTo ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what further rebate agreements have been reached in respect of air travel costs since those announced on 1 November 1995,Official Report, column 253. [35494]
§ Mr. Michael J. MartinI am pleased to advise the hon. Member that, at its meeting on 14 May, the Administration Committee endorsed a proposed corporate option agreement between the House and British Midland whereby, subject to a certain minimum target per annum being achieved, and in return for the House dealing with British Midland as a preferred airline, BM will assist the House in reducing its air travel costs.
The incentive discount is on a sliding scale, so that the greater the flown revenue, the greater the percentage, as well as actual, rebate. All BM flights in the executive fare, three-day executive return and Eurobudget categories undertaken on parliamentary business by hon. Members, their staff or staff of the House, and booked through the Travel Office since 1 April, qualify.
As with the earlier agreement with British Airways, which continues, individual hon. Members or Committees who prefer to deal with other carriers or agents are still perfectly free to do so. However, I hope that hon. Members will bear in mind that for the House to benefit from this new agreement, BM flights do have to be booked through the Travel Office, as is the case with BA flights.