The use of credit cards by Cabinet Ministers on overseas business trips is strictly controlled, the Premier's spokeswoman has insisted.And press secretary Beverle Lottimore told The Royal Gazette any amount not spent from an additional $150 daily cash allowance for travelling Ministers must be returned to the public purse. This newspaper reported on Thursday that members of Cabinet, who earn six-figure salaries, have use of a credit card when abroad on Government business, as well as $150 in “per diems”.The Ministry of Finance said figures for how much they spent in the last fiscal year were not readily available.“All of the information requested would be recorded in the travel general ledger account and it would be time consuming to extract cost specific to Ministers,” according to Assistant Financial Secretary Anthony Manders.The lack of information on expenses followed widespread calls for Ministers, most of whom are paid $168,000 a year, to take a pay cut.Some readers reacted to our story with calls for the amounts spent by each Minister on expenses to be released; they had not been by press time last night.David Sullivan wrote on our website: “We have become used to a lack of specific detail information.”He suggested: “Perhaps we can get a total balance of that ‘general ledger account' and watch each of the Ministers say what portion is not theirs!“Does Mr Manders have that little regard for the average intelligence of his fellow Bermudians?”Christopher Douglas said: “This is yet another spit in the taxpayer's face. $150 per day, plus an open credit card? Yet no news on agreeing to take a pay cut? Things need to change.”Another reader, using the pen name “Man the Lifeboats” wrote: “In general, I don't have an issue with the travel expenditures arrangement.“However, the spending practices of each minister, particularly with the credit card, must be accounted for and available for public scrutiny. Anything short of this is completely unacceptable.”Ms Lottimore said: “The use of government credit cards is restricted to bona fide expenses to do with government business and all charges must be documented. Further, the use of credit cards is subject to audit.“Since 2001, Ministers have been entitled to the receipt of a $150 per diem, which is intended to be used for official out-of pocket expenses such as trains/taxis, parking charges, gratuities, etc.“Any unexpended amount must be returned to the Accountant General.”l Useful website: www.gov.bm