Minister’s Response: 1. The Department procured travel related services through Travel with Flair (PTY) Ltd). These included, but not limited to; (i) Air Travel domestic and International (ii) Air Travel Insurance (iii) Car Hire (iv) Accommodation (v) Foreign exchange (vi) Airport Connection Services These are done within the well-defined treasury prescripts and within the confines of the current austerity measures. 2. The Department always opts for the most cost effective travel routes without compromising the need for officials’ state of readiness to participate and contribute meaningfully in the conferences, meetings for which the travel was intended. All personal and officials that undertake travel are chosen on the strength of their capabilities and value addition. Notwithstanding that the question is by and large open-ended in terms of defining the period for which the information is required, all officials who travel, do so within the limits of the budget. |