I refer to ’Private Jet Travel For PM’ (Express October 29)-containing figures provided to Parliament by the Minister of Finance.  Further, like the whole country, I look in shock at the big flag over the National Stadium costing ’over two million dollars’, according to reports.

For me, large figures are always difficult to grasp (no pun intended). I therefore added the cost of three private jet trips of PM Patrick Manning. The total sum was less than $2 million!  As follows:

One: $792,593.24.  Purpose: In August 2008, the ’four Eastern Caribbean nations’ integration trip i.e. to those countries plus Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica and Suriname-PM with delegation of six.

Two: $754,859.57.  Purpose: Before Summit of the Americas, round trip to Brazil, Paraguay, Ecuador, Mexico and Nicaragua- PM with delegation of seven.

Three:  $243,337.50.  Purpose:  To Brazil for bilateral discussions with President Luiz Inacio Da Silva-our PM with delegation of five.  The three trips when added equal the sum of $1,790,790.31 (say $1.8 million).  Cost of flag?  $2 million-plus.

Thus, not only can billion-dollar cost over-runs now be grasped, but it’s cheaper to let people fly around in Bombardiers and executive Boeings-than fly flags. For Mr Gary Hunt, however, I recommend no lynch mob, just a ’radical’ departure in his fastest go-kart!

No jet will catch this Cabinet Minister’s alleged expenditures.

Arthur L McShine                                                                                            via e-mail