Mr. Alan WilliamsTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will qualify the cost of the factors which led to an increase in his Department's cost for ministerial cars between 1990–91 and 1992–93; how many cars were involved in each year; how many of these cars are for Government Whips and which Whips have cars personally allocated to them; how many were for Government Whips in 1990–91; and how many were personally allocated at that date.
§ Mr. David DavisThe increase in the costs borne by the Office of Public Service and Science for ministerial cars between 1990–91 and 1992–93 was due mainly to increases in the prices charged by the Government car service—and restructuring of GCS tariffs—the addition in April 1992 of a vehicle for use of the holder of the second ministerial post established at the inception of the OPSS, and more intensive use of the GCS generally.
In 1990–91 three vehicles were allocated to ministerial use, of which two were allocated for the use of the Chief Whip (Commons) and the Leader of the House and Chief Whip (Lords) respectively. The total number of allocated vehicles was increased to four from April 1992.