Honourable Ministers and Junior Ministers, he will state, when travelling for official overseas missions – (…
(No. B/578) Mr A. Duval (Fourth Member for Port Louis North & Montagne Longue) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister of Finance, Minister for Rodrigues and Outer Islands whether, in regard to Honourable Ministers and Junior Ministers, he will state, when travelling for official overseas missions – (a) the per diem rates to which they are entitled when proceeding to – (i) the United Kingdom; (ii) European Union countries; (iii) Switzerland, and (iv) the United States of America, and (b) whether they are entitled to – 21 (i) travelling in first or business class, and (ii) chauffeur-driven limousines in the course thereof at the cost of Government.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the policies and procedures regarding official mission abroad are contained in Circular letter No. 10 of 2017 of the Ministry of Finance. As of today, the rates applicable are actually the same when the hon. Member himself was Speaker of the National Assembly. If you remember, for a period of 78 days, you undertook three missions: one to India, one to China, and one to Armenia for a total cost of Rs748,111.
Ti jouisseur!
(Interruptions)
Three missions, 78 days!
Reponn pou asterla!
Ti jouisseur!
(Interruptions)
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (b) of the question regarding the class of travel in line, it is in line with the existing policy. Ministers are eligible to travel in first class and Junior Ministers in business class same as the Parliamentary Private Secretaries before. As regards transport facilities, whenever same are not provided by the organisers or host countries, our overseas embassies and high commissions normally make appropriate arrangements for officials at the level of Ministers, Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service. When such facilities are not available, then only cars are provided for official use to the eligible officials.
May I ask the hon. Prime Minister, is it not time, in view of the economic urgency, to review the said rates? You said it rightly so yourself! The rates have remained the same, and they should be lowered now because we are asking the population to…
22
(Interruptions)
Put your question! Put your question!
(Interruptions)
Hypocrite !
…tighten their belt!
(Interruptions)
He is a demagogue!
He is a hypocrite!
This is demagogy!
(Interruptions)
May I ask the hon. Prime Minister…
(Interruptions)
Why did you not return your money? Return your money!
(Interruptions)
May I ask the hon. Prime Minister…
(Interruptions)
May I ask the hon. Prime Minister…
(Interruptions)
May I ask the hon. Prime Minister…
(Interruptions)
Order! Order!
…whether he finds it….
(Interruptions)
Hon. Members, order!
(Interruptions)
Hypocrite! Démagogie !
23
(Interruptions)
May I ask the hon. Prime Minister…
Put your question, please! No comments! Put your question!
I am asking!
Put your question, please!
May I ask the hon. Prime Minister whether he would now consider making hon. Ministers and Junior Ministers travel by business class? When we know that an air ticket to Turkey, for example, in first class…
(Interruptions)
An hon. Member: Lin jouir!
…is Rs316,000.
(Interruptions)
Put your question! Put your question!
May the hon. Prime Minister also consider…
Mari toupe sa!
… reducing the chauffer driven privilege at the tune of Rs50,000 per day, which is rented by Government for Ministers to travel when abroad? Is it not time for the hon. Prime Minister to review those rates?
(Interruptions)
Put your question! Put your question!
(Interruptions)
Will he also give the figures, as per the question asked?
(Interruptions)
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is typical of what a demagogue does!
(Interruptions)
He enjoyed all the privileges he is talking about!
24
Démagogue ! La honte !
Now, he wants us…
(Interruptions)
Zot finn defons lakes! Now, you want us…
(Interruptions)
What do you want?
(Interruptions)
What do you want?
La honte ! La honte !
What do you want?
Next question!
(Interruptions)
Order! Order! Order!
(Interruptions)
You must have some dignity!
La honte ! La honte !
Order! Next question! Hon. Third Member for Beau Bassin and Petite Rivière!
(Interruptions)
Jouisseur !
Twa ki jouisseur !
(Interruptions)
Pli gran jouisseur ki twa pena!
25 LINE BARRACKS, PORT LOUIS – DRIVING TESTS