HC Deb 26 January 1994 vol 236 c282W
Mr. Alan Williams

To ask the Lord President of the Council, if he will quantify the cost of the factors which led to an increase in the cost of cars for Ministers in his Department since 1990–91.

Mr. Tony Newton

The cars in question are provided by the Government car service (GCS). The increase in charges to my department largely reflects:

  1. (i) increases averaging 12 per cent. over the period in pay and the cost of vehicles and fuel;
  2. (ii) an increase in Value Added Tax on GCS bills on 1 April 1991 from 15 per cent. to 17.5 per cent.