§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department has spent on civil servants' transport in each of the last two years. [98710]
§ Mr. ByersAll travel undertaken by DTI civil servants complies with the requirements of the Civil Service Management Code. The Department maintains records on the travel and subsistence costs of civil servants, but does not break down separately the transport component of this. Budgets for travel and subsistence for DTI civil servants totalled £12.9 million in 1997–98 and £13.0 million in 1998–99.
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what motor mileage allowance rates his Department offers to(a) Ministers and (b) civil servants using their own vehicles for official business; and what has been the cost of each in each of the last five years. [98711]
§ Mr. ByersWhen travelling on official business, Ministers may use a private car instead of an official car, and claim mileage allowances in the same circumstances and on the same terms as civil servants within the DTI. Ministers and civil servants using their own vehicles for official business may claim the following Fixed Profit Car Scheme (FPCS) mileage rates (pence per mile):
Pence per mile Car engine size Up to 4,000 miles (standard rate) Over 4,000 miles (lower standard rate) Up to 1500cc 35 20 1501–2000cc 45 25 Over 2000cc 48 34 The DTI does not record expenditure on motor mileage separately from other travel and subsistence expenses paid when civil servants or Ministers undertake official business. To provide the information requested would entail disproportionate cost.