To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what guidance his Department has issued to staff on claiming for travel in first class carriages on trains if there are no seats available in standard class. (268468)

Staff who are not ordinarily entitled to travel by rail in first class are advised that may do so in the following circumstances:

when travelling with a colleague entitled to first class travel

when no standard class seats (except on suburban lines) are available

when there is a genuine business need.

These guidelines are consistent with the practice of other Government Departments.