Byline: TOM PETERKIN
TWO of Scotland's most senior civil servants have run up bills of almost GBP 12,000 on government credit cards to fund trips to Malawi, the United States, Europe and China.
Since 2007, Sir John Elvidge, Scotland's leading civil servant, has charged GBP 5,393 on his taxpayer-funded card to pay for meals and accommodation in Scotland and further afield.
The permanent secretary's trips have included working expeditions to Brussels and Berlin, plus several excursions to Belfast, Cardiff and London.
Lace wigs The government's chief economic adviser, Andrew Goudie, ran up GBP 5,859 on his card over the same period. Mr Goudie's expenses included meals and accommodation on trips to Dublin, Belfast and London. But his most expensive trip was for five nights he spent in Beijing in February last year when he put GBP 1,055 on his card.
Mr Goudie visited Malawi twice at a time when the Scottish Government was anxious to promote Scotland abroad.
He also went to Boston for an official visit in October 2008, a trip that saw him put GBP 582.57 on the card. The cards were not used to pay for officials' flights.
Opposition politicians questioned the need for officials to go on such trips.
Lord Foulkes, the Labour MSP who claimed GBP 54,527 in expenses in 2008 from the House of Lords, said: "In these straitened times when money is tight, the SNP government and its officials should ensure that every penny they spend is spent wisely.
Lace front wigs"Judging by their itineraries, one would think some of these officials were senior civil servants in the Foreign Office rather than the home civil service.
He added: "The Scottish Government and its officials should be concentrating on helping families and protecting jobs here, instead of going off on taxpayer-funded foreign jaunts."
Conservative deputy leader Murdo Fraser said: "The civil service are clearly taking a lead from Alex Salmond in terms of overseas trips, especially as this news comes in the same week that we learn our First Minister is jaunting off to the Maldives."
A spokesman for the Scottish Government defended the officials, saying the cards were only used for business expenses and for "representing Scotland's interests at the highest level".
He said: "They routinely work long hours and staying overnight often means they can carry out more government business more efficiently. They follow robust rules and are subject to audit for incurring expenses. They make the most efficient and cost-effective travel and accommodation arrangements.
"The permanent secretary is part of the leadership team of the UK Civil Service, which meets weekly with Sir Gus O'Donnell. It is vital that he attends business meetings
embroidered patches in London to ensure the interests of the Scottish Government are represented effectively."
The spokesman also defended the use of Scottish Government charge cards: "Government credit cards are a modern, efficient way of payment, recommended by the National Audit Office and by the McClelland independent report on the Review of Public Procurement in Scotland."
HAMMERING THE PLASTIC
JOHN ELVIDGE, Scotland's permanent secretary, used his card for GBP 323 expenses for the Trooping o
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