HC Deb 08 February 2002 vol 379 c1230W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what her estimate is of the cost of(a) ministerial cars and drivers and (b) taxis for her Department in each of the last four years. [27911]

Ms Rosie Winterton

Regarding part(a), I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 30 January 2002, Official Report, columns 405–06W

As for part (b), expenditure against the departmental taxi service contract has been as follows:

  • 1 July 1998 to 31 March 1999: £30,596
  • 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000: £53,852
  • 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001: £71,828
  • 1 April 2001 to 16 January 2002: £50,175.

The existing contract commenced on 1 July 1998 and determining taxi expenditure before that date would involve disproportionate cost.

The figures exclude any amounts spent on taxi hire outside of the departmental contract and reclaimed by officials as travel and subsistence expenditure.