§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her estimate of the cost of(a) Ministerial cars and drivers and (b) the Department's bill for taxis, in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98 to date and (iv) 1997–98 full year. [27731]
§ Clare Short(a) The estimated cost of ministerial cars and drivers for the Department for International Development is as follows:
Year Expenditure £ 1995–96 46,000 1996–97 52,000 1997–98 (to date) 84,000 1997–98 (full year) 112,000 (b) We do not hold information centrally on the amount spent on taxis and this could be provided only at disproportionate cost.