§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of travel by train by staff in his Department in 2002. [106346]
§ Mr. LammyInformation about the costs of rail travel is available in the Department's central accounting system which holds details for the main Department, the Medical Devices Agency and the Purchasing and Supply Agency. Accounts are not produced on a calendar basis but for a financial year ending 31 March. The amounts spent on travel by train in the current financial year up to February 2003 and in the previous financial year were as follows:
Financial year Amount (£) 2001–02 3,744,913 2002–031 3,465,786 1 To February 2003. As well as including expenditure for all staff these amounts also comprise rail expenses Incurred by other travellers authorised to undertake business on behalf of the Department such as consultants and members of departmental committees.
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.