§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what make and model of car is currently made available by the NHS to each of the chairmen of the NHS Executive's regional offices; and what is the cost to the NHS of providing each of the vehicles. [33834]
§ Mr. MaloneRegional chairmen may be provided with a car if it is cost-effective to do so when compared with other means of funding business travel. Only the regional chairman for the Northern and Yorkshire region is provided with a lease car, a Land Rover Discovery. From 1 April 1996, following the abolition of the regional health authorities, the cost of the lease has been met by the Department of Health. Other regional chairmen use their cars for business travel and are paid a mileage allowance.