§ 82. Mr. Llewellynasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many motor cars are maintained out of public funds for the use of the Cabinet and other Ministers of the Government, respectively; what is the annual cost to the taxpayer; how much petrol they consume annually; and how these figures compare with those for 1938.
§ Mr. JayNineteen motor cars are maintained out of public funds for the use of Cabinet Ministers and 19 for other Ministers of Cabinet rank. The annual cost of running these cars, including depreciation, is estimated at £37,600. The annual petrol consumption is estimated at 32,400 gallons. Other Ministers use the pooled cars of the Official Car Service or of their Departments. The costs of journeys carried out by these Ministers are not segregated in the accounts nor are separate records kept of petrol used on these journeys.
In 1938 official cars were not provided for Ministers, except for the Home Secretary and the Service Ministers. In September, 1939, the provision was extended to all Cabinet Ministers and in 1943 to Ministers of Cabinet rank. Records of annual cost or of petrol consumed by these cars are not available.