§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what targets he has set for fuel consumption by 253W the Government Car Service; if meeting such targets will involve the use of diesel vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [4056]
§ Mr. KilfoyleFor 1997–98, the Government Car and Despatch Agency has been set the target of achieving an annual average of 25.5 miles per gallon for the Government Car Service and Inter Despatch Service fleets. Responsibility for meeting this target has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Agency, and I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. Nick Matheson, to write to the hon. Member about Agency's use of diesel fuelled vehicles.
Letter from Nick Matheson to Mr. Tim Boswell, dated 17 June 1997:
I have been asked by Mr Peter Kilfoyle MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (who has ministerial responsibility for the Government Car Service (GCS)), to provide a response to that part of your Parliamentary Question on fuel consumption targets for the GCS that relates to the use of diesel engined vehicles. I am the Chief Executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency with operational responsibility for the GCS.The Agency fleet comprises 179 cars operated by the Government Car Service, all of which are petrol driven, and 63 diesel powered vans operated by the Interdespatch Service (IDS). The overall Agency fuel consumption target of 25.5 mpg includes both types of vehicle.