HC Deb 06 March 1996 vol 273 cc249-50W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will instruct drivers working in the Government car pool that car engines are not to be kept running while the car is parked within the precincts of the House. [18264]

Mr. Freeman

This is an operational matter on which I have asked the chief executive of the Security Facilities Executive—SAFE—to write to the hon. Member direct.

Letter from J. C. King to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 5 March 1996:

I have been asked by Mr Freeman, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (who now has Ministerial responsibility for the Government Car Service (GCS), to let you have a response to your Parliamentary Question concerning the running of GCS car engines within the precincts of the Palace of Westminster. I am the Chief Executive of the Agency with operational responsibility for the GCS.

Government Car Service drivers remain under clear instructions, while parked with in the precincts of the Palace of Westminster, to keep their vehicle engines running to a minimum consistent with passenger and security requirements. To reinforce this, I have arranged for GCS Management to issue a fresh notice to all GCS drivers.