§ Mr. Mike Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants in his Department and at what ranks have (a) an official car allocated to them, (b) first call on official 549W cars from a pool and (c) other than occasional access to an official car on any other basis.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe Northern Ireland Office has an official car in London which is available to all staff; it is not allocated to any specific person. The Permanent Under-Secretary has "first call" on this vehicle. In Belfast, five senior officials of Permanent Secretary, Deputy Secretary and Under-Secretary rank have "first call" on cars in the Property Services Agency car pool. In London, the Government Car Service, and in Belfast, the Property Services Agency car pool, provide vehicles to meet the Department's needs as they arise.