Taxpayers fly NZ Speaker Lockwood Smith and wife to India

Speaker Lockwood Smith is taking his wife, Alexandra, with him on a taxpayer-funded trip to India. A spokesman confirmed Mrs Smith would accompany Dr Smith to the conference for speakers and presiding officers of the Commonwealth in New Delhi next month.
The Office of the Clerk of Parliament would cover their costs under rules set for MPs on the official inter-parliamentary travel programme, the spokesman said. The rules, signed off by former Speaker Margaret Wilson in 2007, provide for first-class tickets for the Speaker and his or her spouse "provided there is a representational role".
Other MPs travelling on inter-parliamentary business are entitled only to business-class travel, but can trade that in to cover the cost of two economy fares to let a spouse or partner go with them.
The spokesman said Dr Smith wanted to travel business-class but seats were not available, so they were travelling first class and he was paying the difference out of his pocket.
Clerk of the House Mary Harris was also travelling to India for the conference and would fly business class. She had booked earlier.
Singapore Airlines quoted return flights from Auckland to Delhi for two adults at the times Dr Smith was flying at $16,858 for first class and $12,558 for business class.
Dr Smith said: "The invitation from the Parliament of India was extended to Alexandra and me."
The conference was a significant opportunity to establish an international network among speakers and presiding officers in the Commonwealth.
23/12/09 Vernon Small/The Stuff.co.nz

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Foreign Dec 2009