HC Deb 20 December 1995 vol 268 cc1186-7W
Mr. MacShane

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost of chauffeur-driven cars used by his Department was in each of the past five years. [5865]

Mr. Hanley

The cost of chauffeur-driven cars used by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office over the last five years was as follows:

Government Car Service contracts

  • 1990–91: £248,546
  • 1991–92: £268,332
  • 1992–93: £370,656
  • 1993–94: £383,188
  • 1994–95: £383,188.

The figures above represent the cost of agreed hours of usage and do not include VAT. The Government car service says that it has not been possible to calculate the charges for additional hours.

In addition, the cost of chauffeur-driven cars provided from the FCO car pool during the 1994–95 was £86,266. Prior to this date no separate breakdown of figures was recorded.

Information on expenditure by overseas posts on chauffeur-driven cars is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.