§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent changes he has made to judges' transport arrangements applying to those using judges lodgings to make them more effective; what the savings from the changes are; and if he will make a statement. [9970]
§ Mr. WillsAs my hon. Friend will be aware, judges are provided with a car and driver for all travel between lodgings and courts and for other official journeys while at the lodgings. Judges are not provided with official transport for private travel.
A pilot exercise was carried out during 2000 to assess the feasibility of using multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) to transport judges to and from lodgings. At smaller lodgings, the use of high-quality saloon cars has also been encouraged.
The Lord Chancellor has recently approved the introduction of more cost-effective transport across the lodgings network, focusing on the use of MPVs and saloon cars in place of limousines. The changes are likely to save over £200,000 per year once implemented.