§ 1. Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what rate per mile is paid to personnel of his Department when using their own cars on official business.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. John Grant)The allowance paid depends upon the circumstances in which the private car is used. The standard rates are from 10.6p to 13.4p per mile, depending upon engine size. The standard rate is paid when the use of the private car is justified. Where the advantages lie with the journey being made by public transport, a rate of 6.3p per mile is paid.
§ Mr. BrothertonDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that all these rates compare very favourably with the 4.1p per mile paid to Service men? Will he inform the Secretary of State for Defence of the differences paid in the mileage rate and invite him to take steps to put them right?
§ Mr. GrantI shall draw the attention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence to what the hon. Gentleman has said, but I think that the 3 hon. Gentleman should have tabled a Question to him. I cannot help but wonder whether the cost of the hon. Gentleman's travel to the House to ask this Question was really worth while.