§ Mr. Peter Reesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many motor cars are currently available for use by Ministers of the Crown, listed by type; what is the current estimated annual cost of running such cars and providing them with drivers; and what are the rules governing the private use of 197W such cars by Ministers and members of their families and households.
§ Mr. Armstrong72 chauffeur driven cars are currently available for use by Ministers of the Crown—20 Rover 3.5s, 20 Wolseley 2200s, 31 Wolseley 6s, one Austin 2200. The current estimated cost of operating these vehicles is £760,000. This sum includes wages, overtime, insurance, superannuation, fuel repairs and maintenance, depreciation, garaging, rates, security measures, administration overheads and interest on capital employed.
Ministers are not normally authorised to use official cars for private or domestic purposes other than for their own journeys between home or station or airport and office within a limited area. Exceptionally wives or husbands of Ministers may also use cars for official or semi-official purposes associated with their husbands' or wives' duties.