Group of State MPs including Geoff Shaw to tour England on taxpayer-funded field trip Geoff Shaw during question time in State Parliament. STATE MPs examining economic development in Victoria are packing their bags for a taxpayer-funded UK field trip. Fresh from winning a pay rise of almost $15,000, members of the Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee will tour England's biggest cities including London and Manchester during the 10-day trip. The trip - approved by Speaker Ken Smith - is scheduled for July 13-23, during Parliament's winter recess. Taxpayers will foot the bill for accommodation and expenses such as meals, as well as flights bought using MP electorate allowances. The committee, which is conducting an "inquiry into local economic development initiatives in Victoria," includes controversial independent MP Geoff Shaw. Mr Shaw, who is being investigated by police over an Ombudsman finding he rorted the parliamentary car scheme, last month complained in Parliament about having "enough of our benefits here, if you like, cut." Other committee members are Liberal MPs Neale Burgess, Inga Peulich, and Christine Fyffe, and Labor MPs Ben Carroll and Martin Foley. The Herald Sun tried to contact all members of the committee to check if they planned to take the trip, but was unable to reach Mr Burgess or Ms Fyffe, and was unexpectedly disconnected from a call to Mr Shaw. Mr Foley, Ms Peulich and Mr Carroll confirmed they would go on the trip, with Ms Peulich saying she believed "all members of the committee are going." The committee is due to report on its inquiry findings by July 31, after the original time frame was extended