HC Deb 23 July 1998 vol 316 cc686-8W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list for(a) his Department and (b) bodies listed in the National Asset Register, how many vehicles are currently (i) owned and (ii) leased; if he will indicate their (A)fuel types and (B) engine cubic capacities; and how many vehicles are expected to fall due for replacement in each of the years (1) 1998–99, (2) 1999–2000 and (3) 2000–01. [49237]

Mr. Fatchett

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has 1,256 official vehicles, including dedicated flag cars used by Heads of Post, as well as pool cars, mini buses, trucks and motor cycles. These are divided between 45 based in the United Kingdom, and 1,211 in use at British Diplomatic Posts overseas. The total figure includes 26 leased vehicles, all of which are operating overseas, but it is intended to increase the number of leased vehicles where this represents better value for public funds.

Details of the fuel types and engine cubic capacities for the 45 vehicles based in the United Kingdom are as follows:

34 Diesel Engine size Quantity Engine size 11 Petrol Quantity
1.5 1 1.8 5
1.7 7 2.0 3
1.8 2 2.3 1
2.0 1 2.5 2
2.3 1
2.5 16
2.9 1
3.0 1
4.5 1
10.0 1
12.0 2

Detailed information about the fuel types and engine cubic capacities of all the official vehicles held overseas is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Date Venue Event
August 1998 There are no Councils scheduled for this month
September 1998
3 Brussels Political Committee
5–6 Salzburg Foreign Ministers (informal)
7–8 Brussels Special Committee on Agriculture
10–12 Linz Culture (informal)
14–18 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
15–16 Bregenz Transport (informal)
21 New York Political Committee
19–22 St. Wolfgang, Austria Agriculture (informal)
24 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs
24 Brussels Internal Market
25–27 Brussels ECOFIN (informal)
28–29 Brussels Agriculture Council
October 1998
1–2 Luxembourg Transport Council
2–3 Luxembourg Industry/Research and Technology (informal)
5 Luxembourg Labour and Social Affairs Council
5 Luxembourg Political Committee
5–6 Luxembourg General Affairs Council
5–9 Strasbourg European Parliamentary Plenary
6 Luxembourg Environment Council
12 Luxembourg ECOFIN Council
13 Luxembourg Research Council
13 Brussels Political Committee
19–20 Luxembourg Agriculture Council
19–23 Strasbourg European Parliament Plenary
22 Luxembourg Fisheries Council

The following are the number of vehicles expected to fall due for replacement:

  • 1998–1999: 194
  • 1999–2000: 263
  • 2000–2001: 168.