§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the current conditions on which civil servants in her Department are granted salary advances to enable the purchase of bicycles for home-to-office travel; if she will make a statement on the current conditions in each agency of her Department; what plans she has to change the conditions; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleAll permanent staff with at least two months' service in the Department of Health and its agencies are able to apply for an advance of salary to enable the purchase of bicycles for home-to-office travel. The maximum advance for purchase of a bicycle is £100. This provision was introduced in the Department in June 1992. We have no immediate plans to change these conditions.