MPs took 16-day jaunt to South Pacific islands
0 Comments | Evening Standard; London (UK), Sep 25, 2009 | by Amar singh
A GROUP of MPs and peers have enjoyed a trip to the South Pacific at a cost of at least Pounds 68,000 to the taxpayer.
The delegation took business class flights for a 16-day visit to a series of South Sea islands, and stayed in a fivestar hotel on Fiji for seven days.
Other parts of the trip were paid for by countries where the average monthly wage is Pounds 124.
The tour, by members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, was a “fact-finding” exercise on climate change. Six MPs and two peers were flown to Fiji via Australia. They also visited Tonga, Kiribati and Vanuatu.
The CPA’s British branch, which is funded by a grant from Westminster, paid for flights to Australia and connections to Fiji at Pounds 6,300 each.
The group were Tory MP Andrew Rosindell (Romford), Labour MPs Meg Munn (Sheffield Heeley), Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North), Betty Williams (Conwy), Neil Turner (Wigan) and Colin Challen (Morley and Rothwell); Liberal Democrat peer Lord Roper of Thorney Island and Labour’s Lord Lea of Crondall.
Two members of CPA staff also flew with them. The group stayed for a total of seven nights in the Pounds 150-a-night fivestar Sofitel Fiji Resort.
The bill from the hotel is expected to be at least Pounds 5,200, taking the minimum cost of the trip to Pounds 68,200.
Each member also received a daily cash allowance for expenses. Local accommodation on trips with the CPA is normally paid for by host countries
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