§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total number of vehicles used by his Department and its agencies fuelled by(a) petrol, (b) diesel and (c) liquid petroleum gas; and what plans he has to increase the rate of conversion of those vehicles to liquid petroleum gas. [98206]
§ Mr. BattleThe information is as follows:
Overseas
There are currently 1,235 vehicles in use at our overseas Posts. A breakdown of the fuel types used is shown below:
Fuel type Number of vehicles fuelled Petrol 514 Diesel 347 Unknown 374 Total 1,235 Detailed information about the fuel types to be chosen for replacement vehicles to be purchased at FCO Posts overseas is not known. In each case this will depend on the type of vehicle required, and the availability of fuel types at the time of purchase.
The choice of the best fuel type for each new vehicle is decided by each Post, based on any local legislation, the type of vehicle required and what fuel types are available locally. (Not all countries are able to offer unleaded petrol and supplies of either petrol or diesel can in some places be contaminated, of poor quality, or subject to irregular supply).
Posts are aware of the need to use the most environmentally friendly fuels available, where this is practical.
UK
There are currently 47 vehicles in the UK fleet.
Fuel type Petrol Diesel Cars 10 5 Vans 2 24 Lorries — 6 LPG vehicles are currently being evaluated. One vehicle will be introduced to the London Mail Van fleet in the year 2000.