§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was(a) the estimated average fuel consumption and (b) the total mileage of ministerial cars travelling on official business in each of the years since 1989–90 for each Government department. [36159]
§ Mr. KilfoyleI cannot answer for all cars used by Ministers. However, for those run by the Government Car and Dispatch Agency, responsibility has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Agency. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. Nick Matheson, to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Nick Matheson to Mr. Andrew Stunell, dated April 1998:
The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service, has asked me in my capacity as the Chief Executive responsible for the Government Car Service (GCS) to reply to your Parliamentary Question about (a) the estimated average fuel consumption and (b) the total mileage of ministerial cars travelling on official business in each year since 1989–90.In my letter to you of 3 February I explained that information on the ministerial use of the GCS before 1 April 1997, when GCDA was set up as a separate agency, was not readily available, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.For 1997/98, the estimated average fuel consumption of GCS cars allocated to Government departments for the use of Ministers is 25 miles per gallon. For the same period the estimated mileage of GCS cars allocated to departments, based on the most up-to-date information available, is as follows:
Department Estimated mileage Prime Minister and Cabinet Office 69,400 Department for Education amp; Employment 165,700 Ministry of Defence 7,000 Department of Social Security 77,800 Department of Health 55,100 Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions 124,000 Foreign amp; Commonwealth Office 174,200 Home Office 60,900 Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries amp; Food 64,100 Northern Ireland Office 58,500 Scottish Office 52,700 Department of Trade amp; Industry 147,700 Law Officers' Departments 15,200 HM Treasury 65,900 Welsh Office 28,100 Privy Council Office 6,400 Department for International Development 37,000 Lord Chancellor's Department 39,200 Department for Culture, Media amp; Sport 54,400
As you may know, some departments may use other providers of cars and drivers for use by their Ministers.As I also explained in my earlier letter, cars and drivers are allocated for the use of Ministers and their offices, and the above estimates may include some non-Ministerial use, such as the transportation of documents or use by officials.