§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the(a) estimated average fuel consumption and (b) total mileage of ministerial cars travelling on official business in each year since 1989–90. [25791]
§ Mr. KilfoyleI have been asked to reply.
Responsibility for these matters has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Government Car and Despatch 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 3 February 1998:
Your Questions 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 to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and the Secretary of State for Social Security have been passed to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. He has asked me in my capacity as the Chief Executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency to reply.Based on the usage for the current financial year from 1 April 1997, when the Agency was first formed, I estimate that in a full year ministerial cars allocated to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions will have an average fuel consumption of 26 miles per gallon, and will travel 86,000 miles on official business. Using the same basis, I estimate that ministerial cars allocated to the Department of Social Security will have an average fuel consumption of 26 miles per gallon, and will travel 53,500 miles on official business.The information for earlier years prior to the formation of the Agency is not readily available and can only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.Cars and drivers are allocated for the use of Ministers and their private offices. In addition to ministerial duties, they are also used for several other purposes such as the movement of documents and for use by officials as directed by the ministerial private office.