§ 19. Mr. Pageasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he takes to ensure that the payments to Government employees for the use of their private cars on official business, at authorised users' rates, are in fact restricted to journeys for which public transport is not available; whether he is satisfied that the rates of payment are not excessive; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PowellI would refer my hon. Friend to the relevant rules in Estacode of which I am sending him a copy. The rates of payment are at present under discussion with the Staff Side.
§ Mr. PageDoes my hon. Friend not think that a rate of 9¼d. a mile is rather high for the use of private cars for Government purposes? Is he aware, for example, that there are about 5,000 authorised users in the Post Office who receive £100 a year each on an average 591 for the use of their cars? Does he not think that there is the possibility here of discovering means of Government economies in expenditure?
§ Mr. PowellAs I told my hon. Friend, there matters are under discussion.