Mr. Rostron Duckworthasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the mileage allowance to civil servants using their own motor cars of over 10 horse power on official business is 6d. a mile up to 3,000 miles, and that normally, making an allowance of 20 miles per gallon, the owners get about £60 a year, which often exceeds the insured value of the motor car; and whether, in the interests of economy, he will reduce this allowance?
§ Captain CrookshankThe mileage allowances payable to civil servants who742W are authorised to use their private cars on official business have recently been revised in agreement with the Staff Side of the National Whitley Council. The allowance of 6d. a mile in respect of cars of over 10 h.p. for the first 3,000 miles a year, covers not only all running expenses but also reimburses to the car owner that proportion of his annual overhead expenses which his official mileage bears to his private mileage, as restricted by the petrol rationing scheme. I do not regard the allowance as excessive.