HC Deb 26 January 1999 vol 324 cc210-1W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the mileage rates currently applicable to staff, indicating what changes have been made to encourage staff to switch from cars to public transport and other less polluting forms of travel. [67494]

Ms Jowell

Most staff in the Department are currently reimbursed for business use of their private car at the rate of 40 pence per mile for the first 4,000 miles in a year, and 22.5 pence thereafter.

Staff are encouraged to use public transport where it is cost effective to do so. As part of its strategy to encourage staff to switch to public transport and less polluting forms of travel, the Department has also set up a working group to review the policies and operational arrangements for business travel by departmental staff.

The Department encourages the use of bicycles wherever practicable and makes available an advance of salary of up to £500 for staff to purchase a bicycle and necessary safety equipment.