HC Deb 24 November 1977 vol 939 cc825-6W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will publish in the Official Report a detailed list giving the number of persons who are entitled to receive tax-free transport and housing accommodation which is paid for out of public funds.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the Official Report a detailed list of persons who, in addition to the two former Prime Ministers, receive a Government-supplied car, with driver, taxed, insured and maintained at the public expense; and what the gross and net worth of these emoluments are to the recipients on the assumption that they are receiving taxable incomes of £10,000 per annum, £15,000 per annum and £20,000 per annum, respectively.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

I have been asked to reply to the second Question to the Secretary of State for the Environment.

Those who have discretion to use official pooled cars regularly for official purposes are:

  • 109 Ministers of the Crown.
  • The Leader of the Opposition.
  • Comptroller and Auditor General.
  • Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.
  • Civil servants of the rank of Permanent Secretary (at present 40 in number).
  • Other civil servants of very senior rank, chiefly in the Ministry of Defence (30).
  • Military staff of the Ministry of Defence of the rank of Lt. General and above (20).
  • Director General, National Economic Development Office.
  • Chairman, Metrication Board.
  • Chairman, Price Commission.
  • Chairman, Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service.
  • Senior Crown Agent.

Official cars are used under prescribed conditions for the furtherance of public business and representation. The worth to the individual is incidental and any attempt to impute the incidental hypothetical worth to the individual would be disproportionately costly and misleading.

Official residences are available tax free for:

  • The Prime Minister.
  • Seven other Ministers of the Crown.
  • The Speaker of the House of Commons.
  • 600 civil servants, mainly Prison Governors.

In addition married personnel in the Armed Forces who are not accompanied by their families are similarly accommodated.

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