§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of(a) ministerial cars and drivers and (b) taxis for his Department was in 2002. [101539]
§ Mr. LammyResponsibility for the provision of ministerial cars and drivers has been delegated under the terms of the framework document to the Government Car and Despatch Agency. Part(a) of this question will be addressed in a letter from Nick Matheson, Chief Executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency to the hon. Member. Information about the cost of taxis is available in the Department's central accounting system for the main Department, the Medical Devices Agency, the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency and the NHS Pensions Agency. No discrete information relating to expenditure on taxis is available for the Department's other agencies. Accounts are produced for financial years ending 31 March and the cost of taxis in the current financial year up to February 2003 and in the 2001–2002 financial year was as follows:
Financial Year Amount (£) 2001–02 312,226 2002–03 (to February 2003) 329,267 The Department ensures that all business travel is made by the most economic means, taking into account any management benefit and the needs of staff with disabilities.