§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total real term value of(a) staff car mileage claims paid and (b) staff rail fares paid; and what was the total amount of staff car mileage for which reimbursement was made and the percentage change year on year, for each year since 1989–90. [36162]
§ Ms JowellThe real term value of(a) staff car mileage claims and (b) staff rail travel from 1993–94 is in the table. Figures for earlier years are not available.
Year Car mileage £ Per cent, change Rail travel £ Per cent, change 1997–98 (to 20 March) 809,314 +1.8 2,150,077 +8.5 1996–97 794,835 (Note 2) 1,980,281 (Note 2) 1995–96 58,594 +80 1,669,966 +8 1994–95 32,494 +44 1,546,063 -15.5 1993–94 22,474 — 1,829,772 — Notes:
1. Figures deflated using gross domestic product deflator.
2. 8 regional health authorities were absorbed into the Department on 1 April 1996.
511W
§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of staff of all grades employed by his Department; and what percentage of these staff were eligible to claim a car mileage allowance on 31 March in each year since 1990. [36160]
§ Ms JowellThe total number of staff employed by the Department in each year since 1990 is as in the table.
Year Numbers of staff April 1990 5,388 April 1991 4,651 April 1992 4,803 April 1993 4,846 April 1994 4,672 April 1995 4,493 April 1996 4,784 April 1997 4,696 January 1998 4,546 All staff are entitled to use their car for official business and are potentially eligible to claim car mileage allowance, provided they comply with the codes and instructions set out in Departmental procedures. The Department maintains records of all claims for each individual but does not collect information on the percentage of total staff who make claims for car mileage and the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.