§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is his estimate of the cost of(a) Ministerial cars and drivers and (b) the Department's bill for taxis in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98 to date and (iv) 1997–98 full year. [27791]
§ Mr. Hoon[holding answer 5 February 1998]: Ministerial cars and drivers cost the Department £97,056 in 1995–96, £132,086 in 1996–97, £113,494 in 1997–98 to date with an estimate of £151,325 for 1997–98 full year. The Department does not separately record expenditure on taxi fares and figures could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.