§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the cost of leasing the Jaguar 4.0i LWB for the use of the Deputy Prime Minister from the Government Car Service. [32992]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 5 March 1998]: The current weekly cost to the Department of leasing the car and a full-time driver from the Government Car Service is £1,185. The car is not provided for the exclusive use of the Deputy Prime Minister but undertakes other activities, such as the delivery of urgent papers and Ministerial boxes. The basis on which the leasing costs are determined are the same as those which applied to the previous Administration and apply similarly to the current arrangements under which the Government Car Service provides a car for the use of the Leader of the Opposition.