§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current conditions on which civil servants in his Department are granted salary advances to enable the purchase of bicycles for home-to-office travel; if he will make a statement on the current conditions in each agency of his Department; what plans he has to change the conditions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Mates[holding answer 18 January 1993]: Salary advances are available to home civil service staff to assist with the purchase of bicycles for home-to-office travel, but no requests have been received since the introduction of this facility in August 1991. The advance would be required to be repaid over 12 months and the bicycle used for travel to work. Proof of purchase would be required. No changes are planned to these conditions.
174WThere is no facility available within the departments or agencies of the Northern Ireland civil service to permit civil servants to be granted salary advances to enable the purchases of bicycles for home to office travel. There are no plans to introduce such a facility.