§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what use(a) his Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings he estimates are being achieved as a result; what plans he has to expand use of the card by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [55177]
§ Mr. Meale(a) DETR (Central) is not currently using the GPC but plans to implement a pilot scheme using the Card and it is intended that the business case will be prepared by December 1998.
(b) The Agencies are not currently using the GPC, but some have plans to implement the Card as follows:
Highways AgencyThe Agency is not using the GPC at present, but plans to use it as soon as Visa have undertaken an evaluation in support of the agency's Business Case.Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)The Agency is not currently using the GPC; it has plans to introduce it although no specific date has been agreed.Vehicle Inspectorate Executive AgencyThe agency is currently using the GPC but intends to pilot its use by December 1998.895WDriving Standards AgencyThe Agency has no plans to implement the GPC at present but may do so at a later date.Maritime and Coastguard AgencyThe Agency is not currently using the GPC. It will be reviewing the benefits of using the GPC as a result of work being done by DETR and will decide by the end of 1998 whether to implement it.Vehicle Certification AgencyThe Agency is not currently using the GPC and has no plans at this time to do so.Planning InspectorateThe Agency is not currently using the GPC and has no plans at this time to do so. It is aware of its possible benefits and will continue to assess its suitability for use.QE11 Conference CentreThe Agency is not using the GPC and has no plans to implement it.