§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [27781]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 5 February 1998]: The cost of Ministerial cars and drivers for the DfEE is estimated at:
£352,245 for 1996–97£301,839 for 1997–98 to date, and£357,398 for the full year 1997–98.In 1996–97 there were six Ministers; from 2 May 1997, seven. For 1995–96 the figures is available only for the former Employment Department which spent £181,949 on Ministerial cars and drivers in the year.
The Department's bill for taxis can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.