HC Deb 03 December 1951 vol 494 cc2019-20
45. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Prime Minister which Ministers are now entitled to the use of official cars.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Winston Churchill)

Sir, Ministers assigned police protection will have cars provided for their personal use for all purposes, paying a mileage rate of 1s. 6d. for private journeys. At present these Ministers are my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, and myself.

No other Ministers will have cars personally allotted to them. They can draw on a pool of motor cars for official purposes. In the case of Cabinet Ministers and Ministers in charge of Departments, "official purposes" includes journeys to and from their official work within seven miles of the Palace of Westminster.

The use by Ministers, other than the three first mentioned, of official cars for private purposes on repayment will cease altogether.

A pool will be formed for official cars in London whether belonging to the Ministry of Supply pool, to the Service Departments or to other Departments.

Consequential arrangements will be made for the use of cars by Service officers and civil servants in the London area.

Mrs. Barbara Castle

Is not it important, in view of recent developments, to include the Minister of Food among those Ministers given police protection?