HC Deb 29 March 2000 vol 347 cc200-2W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many motor vehicles in the Government car pool are available for use by Ministers. [116334]

Mr. Ian McCartney

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Government Car and Despatch Agency. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. Nick Matheson, to write to my hon. Friend.

Letter from Nick Matheson to Mr. Tom Cox, dated March 2000: The Minister of State, Cabinet Office has asked me in my capacity as the Chief Executive responsible for the Government Car Service to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the number of cars available to ministers. The Government Car Service (GCS) provided 85 vehicles allocated permanently to Ministers' Private Offices. In addition, GCS has a fleet of 28 "pool" cars which Ministers may use if their usual car and driver is unavailable. Ministers are not obliged to use GCS and Departments are free to choose other providers of these services.