§ Mr. Higginsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library full details of the present arrangements for payment of Civil Service motoring costs, the basis on which these are calculated, the criteria on which cars are provided and the circumstances under which official drivers are made available.
§ Mr. LawsonFull details of the present arrangements for payment of Civil Service motoring costs are contained in paragraphs 4472 to 4668, 4940 to 4949 and 7460 to 7577 of the Civil Service pay and conditions of service code, a copy of which is in the Library.
The basis for calculating the Civil Service standard rate of motor mileage allowance (that is, the rate payable where the use of a private car on official business is approved by the employing Department) is the AA schedule of motoring costs for a vehicle in the 1001 to 1500 cc range. The standard rate (currently 25.8p a mile) is, however, payable only for the first 9,000 miles driven in a financial year, subsequent mileage being reimbursed at the lower rate of 14p a mile, which is based on the AA figures for running costs but enhanced to take account of additional depreciation caused by high mileage. The Civil Service public transport rate (that is, the rate payable where the Department regards it as reasonable for public transport to be used) was originally calculated by reference to average rail fares and is updated annually to reflect movement in the fares element of the retail price index. The current rate is 13.2p a mile.
Details of the arrangements under which cars and drivers may be made available to Civil Servants are contained in paragraphs 2244 to 2349 of the "Establishment Officer's Guide", a copy of which is also available in the Library.