Disgruntled MPs to stick to economy travel

By George Psyllides

THERE is no question of exempting MPs from a ban on business class travel, a ruling party spokesman said yesterday as reports suggested lawmakers were unhappy because they had been left out.

The government said on Wednesday that only 17 state officials, including the 11 members of the cabinet, were entitled to business class travel when the trip exceeded five hours including stopovers, in an effort to cut down on lavish travel expenses.

DISY spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said “there is no question of exempting MPs. On the contrary, certain officials are designated as having the right in certain cases to use business class.”

“The foreign minister, and ministers in general, have a special status as state officials and certain special needs, and we can show understanding in some cases that only they will use business class,” he added.

Reports yesterday suggested that MPs were unhappy they were left out.

Daily Politis said the matter was discussed in the party leaders meeting on Thursday but efforts were made for it not to become public.

Party leaders are considered to be above ministers and the rest of the MPs are above the government spokesman and the undersecretary to the president, who were also included on the list of exemptions.

Prodromou said MPs had no such claims. “The biggest cuts in the wider public sector have been imposed on the members of the House of Representatives. We did not expect to travel in business class.”