HC Deb 17 October 1995 vol 264 cc216-7W
Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what rates of travel allowance may be claimed by civil servants in his Department when using their own vehicles for official business. [36371]

Mr. Norris

The present rates of travel allowance that may be claimed by civil servants in the centre of the Department of Transport and in the Highways Agency, Transport Research Laboratory, Coastguard Agency, Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency, Marine Safety Agency and Vehicle Certification Agency are:

Car (standard rate) engine capacity Up to 4,000 miles Over 4,000 miles
Up to 1000cc 27p 15p
1001cc to 1500cc 35.7p 19p
1501cc to 2000cc 42p 23p
2001cc and above 46p 30p
Public transport rate 23.8p per mile

Motor cycles Up to 125cc Over 125cc
Up to 4,000 miles
with third party insurance 14.6p 22.1p
with comprehensive insurance 16.2p 25.3p
Over 4,000 miles 6.1p 9p
Pedal cycles 6.2p per mile

The Driving Standards Agency figures are:

Per mile
Standard Rate Up to 1500cc 1501–2000cc Over 2000cc
Up to 5,000 miles 35.7p 42p 46p
Over 5,000 miles 18p 22p 30p
The public transport rate 23p per mile
Motor Cycles Up to 125cc Over 125cc
Up to 4,000 miles third party insurance 14.6p 22.1p
Comprehensive insurance 16.2p 25.3p
Over 4,000 miles 6.1p 9p
The pedal cycle allowance 6p per mile

The Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency figures are:

Engine size (cc) First 5,000 miles Over 5,000 miles
Class A Up to 1500 35.7p 18p
Class B 1500–2000 42p 22p
Class C Over 2000 46p 28p
Public Transport Rate Rail Classes 23p

Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the total cost of travel expenses by civil servants using their own vehicles for official business in each of the last five years in his Department; and what would have been the saving in the last year if the maximum rate that could be claimed was set at the lowest rate. [36372]

Mr. Norris

The Department of Transport, including its agencies, holds no detailed record of this expenditure past the end of each financial year.

During 1994–95 the spend for the Department's Central Transport Group, together with the Highways Agency, Marine Safety Agency, Coastguard Agency, Vehicle Certification Agency, and Transport Research Laboratory was £1.418 million. If claims had been limited to the lowest level—that is, the public transport rate of 23.8p per mile—the spend would have been £944,000. Disaggregated figures for the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency, Driving Standards Agency and Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency are not available.