To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much was spent by his Department on (a) business class and (b) first class flights in the last 12 months. (153117)

All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code and the Ministerial Code.

DFID’s expenditure on flights booked centrally for the 12 month period April 2006 to March 2007 was £6,876,805, including business class flights costing £5,726,318 and first class flights costing £41,922. Staff rules preclude use of first class travel, except by Ministers, officials accompanying them, and the most senior members of the senior civil service. Rules relating to the use of air travel and fare entitlements are set out in the staff handbook.