§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what grades in the Civil Service in his Department are allowed to travel by air(a) first class and (b) business class at public expense when on official duties. [104964]
§ Mr. LammyThe Department of Health no longer has traditional civil service grades, but has paybands into which all posts fall. The class of travel used by staff travelling by air on official duties is decided by the manager authorising the travel according to operational needs and not the payband of the traveller. The Department is committed to ensuring that staff use the most efficient and economic means in the circumstances taking into account any management benefit or the requirements of disabled staff.