Globetrotting Ministers and Civil Servants could be clocking up thousands of free air miles at Government expense.

A Government spokesman yesterday admitted there has never been an official ruling on what was done with frequent flier credits on tickets paid for with taxpayers' cash. He said: "There is no formal policy in place vis a vis air miles.'' And when asked what happened to air miles run up on official travel, he admitted he could not answer.

The spokesman said: "I really don't know what happens to the frequent flier air miles.'' And last night independent Auditor Larry Dennis called for Government to take a look at the air miles issue with a view to saving cash.

He said: "If the public purse can get a discount, it needs investigation.

"It is not taking advantage of a possible saving. They're not throwing any more money away, but they're wasting the opportunity to make more savings.'' Nearly all airlines offer some form of incentive for regular travellers -- usually in the form of air mile credits which can be used against future flights.

And that means Ministers and Civil Servants could have been clocking up free travel for years.

In Britain, Ministers are no longer allowed to have air miles for personal use -- they are handed in to defray future official travel costs or go to charity.

Mr. Dennis said: "If they've done it in the UK, there's a precedent for it and they should do it here. And -- as air miles become a more important factor -- Government will have to look at it.'' Last night Ministers and former Ministers of both parties admitted they kept their air miles for personal use.

Tourism Minister David Allen -- because of his job, one of the major travellers -- said: "The previous Government and this Government have no particular policy on that.'' Officials rack up air miles Mr. Allen insisted air miles could not be transferred and added: "I don't think they're going back to the airlines.'' He added: "I don't believe in making any airline richer. I'm sure they would appreciate it if they didn't get used.'' Mr. Allen added: "I have no problem with this. I've taken a very large pay cut to take on this job.'' Former Finance Minister and now Shadow Finance Minister Grant Gibbons admitted United Bermuda Party Governments had never had regulations covering air miles.

He said: "I don't think there was a policy in the Civil Service and I don't think there was one for Ministers. I just basically hung on to them, to be perfectly honest.'' He added: "But the more interesting question is if the travel being done is necessary, period, not whether they are doing it to clock up air miles.'' Government, in its pre-Election manifesto pledged to "root out waste and inefficiency'' and Premier Jennifer Smith later promised to appoint a "scissorman'' with a roving commission to cut waste in the public service.

But one businessman -- whose staff run up thousands of miles in travel -- said some firms had strict policies.

And he pointed out air miles could cost even more money to firms because an employee could be tempted to buy a more expensive ticket from one airline over another to add to their air miles treasure trove.

The UK Labour Government in January introduced a new code of conduct for Ministers, banning them from using air miles for their own benefit.

Now Ministers -- unlike under previous Conservative Governments -- have to hand in their air miles, which can be used to cut official travel costs.

And -- where that is not possible -- Ministers can give to charities nominated by airlines.

A survey of UK business executives by top pollsters MORI said "travelling executives were choosing flights which earned maximum points rather than sticking to airlines offering the most economical flights''.

Kept miles: Grant Gibbons AIRPORT FLY