HC Deb 27 January 1948 vol 446 cc120-1W
Mr. Vane

asked the Secretary of State for War on what basis he has calculated the travelling allowance of 3d. per mile payable to all ranks of the T.A. when using private motor vehicles on duty; and how much of such 3d. is considered to cover petrol and oil, repairs, licence and insurance, and depreciation, respectively.

Mr. Shinwell

The rates payable to members of the Territorial Army (and to members of the Regular Army) who use their private cars on duty are the same as those payable to other Crown servants in similar circumstances. They are as under:

(1) For "regular users" (that is, those judged likely to use their cars on duty for more than 2,000 miles a year):

£9 a quarter (payable in advance) plus 3d. a mile for approved mileage.

(2) For "casual users" (that is, those judged likely to use their cars for less than 2,000 miles a year):

Sixpence a mile for approved mileage up to 2,880 miles in a year and 3d. a mile thereafter.

An extra ½d. a mile is payable for each official passenger carried.

The above rates are intended to cover, in whole or in due proportion according to the amount of use, the total expenses of upkeep and running, since use of a private car for a duty journey saves provision of a Government car. Their makeup is not a matter for my Department, but broadly 3d. a mile is taken to cover actual running expenses, for example, in petrol, lubricants, wear of tyres, extra depreciation and maintenance, while the standing expenses of licence, insurance, depreciation by age, etc., are covered by the balance of the allowance.

The rate payable to members of the Territorial Army who use their cars for travelling between residence and place of duty in the absence of other means of transport, which the hon. Member may have in mind, is 3d. a mile, that is, the "marginal user" rate which does not take standing maintenance expenses into account, it being assumed that the car is maintained in the first place for private reasons.

Those members of the Territorial Army who, since the abolition of the basic petrol ration, use their cars only for duty journeys and attendance at drills, are now covered by the "G" licence scheme, which exempts them from the expenses of normal licence and insurance.