British MPs under fire for costly look at NZ drinking

Seven British MPs have been criticised for taking a $176,400 trip to New Zealand to investigate binge-drinking.

The members of the Commons health committee flew business-class to Auckland, then on to Wellington to find out how New Zealand's health service coped with people who drink too much, the British Mail on Sunday newspaper reported.

The MPs spent up to five nights in upmarket hotels, and at least two of them remained in New Zealand for a holiday after the official programme ended last Thursday.

The committee members were given approval to travel to New Zealand as part of an inquiry into patient safety in the National Health Service.

But their brief was broadened to look at how alcohol and binge-drinking affected people's health and the National Health Service.

The MPs also looked at top-up fees, which allowed patients to buy drugs not publicly subsidised in their area and keep their right to other free treatment.

One of three Conservative Party committee members who turned down the visit criticised the cost.

But the MPs said they had worked hard, with little free time between meetings on alcohol, health and accident compensation.

Any MPs staying on beyond the official programme paid the extra costs.

They said New Zealand had been chosen because its health service funding was similar to Britain's.

- NZPA