Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 21 November (HL11446), what is the maximum allowable payment to Ministry of Defence staff for services booked through the Defence Hotel Reservation Service when undertaking (1) business travel, (2) duty travel, and (3) detached duty.

For most UK and overseas travel, staff must obtain prior Line Management agreement before undertaking any business travel booking. This includes other duty/detached duty travel. Self-approval is permitted for certain employees, but only up a maximum of two nights’ accommodation for the most senior grades.

Specific cost ceiling limits vary. Staff arranging travel and overnight accommodation are expected to utilise the most economic option available. The chosen hotel accommodation should be within the ceilings imposed for each location, and specific justification must be provided where the lowest cost option is not utilised. Any business travel expenditure incurred by staff is subject to subsequent audit checks by line management and business areas.