§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is her 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. [27741]
§ Mr. Paul Murphy[holding answer 5 March 1998]: The information for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:
£ 000 Year (a) 1(b) 1995–96 526 166 1996–97 787 204 1997–98 to date 512 162 1997–98 full year 859 204 1The information at (b) does not include figures from the Departments of Agriculture and of the Environment as the information was not readily available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The figures for the Department of Health and Social Services relate to all Public Transport Fares as the information on taxis could be separated only at disproportionate cost.