§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the expenditure on the Government Car Service for the last year for which figures are available, and separately identifying the cost of ministerial cars.[16995]
§ Mr. KilfoyleResponsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Government Car and Despatch Agency. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. Nick Matheson, to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Nick Matheson to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 20 November 1997
The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service, has asked me in my capacity as the Chief Executive responsible for the Government Car Service to reply to your Parliamentary Question dated 17 November 1997.The total cost of providing all Government Car Service services in 1996–97 was £7.6 million. The estimated cost of vehicles and drivers allocated to Ministers and their private offices was £4.1 million, although they are also used for several other purposes such as the movement of documents and for use by officials as directed by the ministerial private office.The Government Car and Despatch Agency charges customer departments for the services provided on a basis that recovers all costs.