Hmm. This isn't really allowed is it?

[KirktonJean]

Person I know, going away for a 5 day course in London. being put up in hotel.
Has MT transport to get there and back.
Has taken their spouse with them in MT and to hotel room for the week.

It depends - when dh worked at NATO for the IMS, I went to Istanbul with him. The hotel room rate was the same (as it was per room), so that affected nobody, and we paid for my flight. If the hotel is room rate as they tend to be, it's not hurting anyone, but the spouse should make their own way there, or they may be paying a mileage rate that you don't know about.

If he was a commanding officer for example, perhaps his wife is going along to go to a 'do' in the evenings, in which case they would have a driver.

If not, then perhaps they're paying for her mileage etc.

Probably not in MT transport as she won't be insured.
But Central Hotel Booking usually books a double room rate not a per person rate so I don't see a problem with that.

I did this - mind you it was 10 years ago so the rules might have changed.

We went on public transport, paying my fare ourselves (so don't know about MT rules), and were scrupulous about any paying ourselves any part of the hotel bill that was above DH's official expenses (used the double room they were paying for anyhow - same room rate, like scaryteacher's example). No additional cost to the public purse whatsoever in our case.

I have done this a number of times - sharing DH's room that is. Although I think I have always arranged transport / flights myself. I have always been totally open about it, and usually there have been other wives there too. DH is a submariner and I have joined him on a number of runs ashore. Last year I flew out to Bahrain and stayed with him in his hotel. No issues.

The MT might be a different matter. I went to the decommissioning of a submarine recently (I was on the official invitation). We paid for the accomm (room in the mess) and I paid for my train ticket. DH got his ticket paid by the Navy, but came home in the Admiral's helo. Nice!

Bahrain, lucky bugger - I got to Bremerhaven and Gib. When the boat went to St Croix in the Virgin Islands, dh wouldn't let me go as I had first year exams coming up. I could have revised Plato in the pool perfectly well......

Which boat decommissioned?

It was fun, but quite warm (48 deg). Oh I have done Gib once or twice in my time...the States - but not Bermuda (was 7 and a bit months pg) sadly...

The boat was Sceptre. Good turnout! Guzz was COLD.

dh was DWEO of another S boat when we were first married in the mid-late 80s.

Guzz is never cold -'tis balmy there...balmier than Brussels anyway!

no additional cost to the public purse - not sure why it's not allowed? the mt insurance thing for civvies has been around yonks - i think the co can waiver, but not sure. i've never bothered doing it, but with no kids or job it seems perfectly reasonable. she'll be paying for her own food and drink. he'll still be doing whatever he's there for. no issue really.

oh, in fact, i lie. (but the other way round) dh joined me in hannover for a few days in my hotel room whilst i was there for a couple of weeks on duty. so he paid for his own transport (think he drove, but can't remember) and food/ drink, but shared my room. it was the same rate whether single or double occupancy. he might have joined me in brussels for a night or two as well...

and maybe munster? paderborn?

hmm. it seems dh has milked this over the years. and since having kids i appear to have stayed at home and looked after them whilst he's swanned round the world.

harumph.