Mr. ArthurLewis asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current cost of the Government car service; how this compares with one year ago; what have been the increases or savings in the number of cars and staff and running costs since May; and what further action he proposes to take to have on this expenditure in accordance with the Government's policy of cutting public expenditure.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe current cost of running the GCS is estimated at £3.34 million per annum compared with £3.22 million one year ago. During this time there has been a reduction of 63 cars and 58 staff, which represents a saving of about £½ million per annum at current costs. The Government have624W already cut the GCS by 23 per cent., and the scope for further savings is now marginal.