HC Deb 19 November 2002 vol 394 cc40-1W
Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many car parking spaces are available to(a) employees of her Department and (b) visitors to her Department within the proposed central London road user charging zone. [81855]

Alun Michael

Within the proposed central London charging zone there are 16 car parking spaces available to employees of the Department, and nine car parking spaces available to visitors to the Department.

Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the policy is of her Department in relation to the reimbursement of central London road user charges incurred by its employees. [81835]

Alun Michael

All civil servants are responsible for payment of their own every day home to office travel costs. The introduction of a central London road user scheme will not affect this basic condition of service. We are currently considering our policy in relation to staff on official business who are required to drive their own or hire vehicles within the charging zone.

Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated cost is to her Department of the Central London Road User Charging Scheme for(a) 17 February 2003 to 31 March 2003, and (b) 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004. [81874]

Alun Michael

Any additional costs which might accrue to the Department as a result of the congestion charging scheme would be just one element within wider costs which have to be met from budgets for official travelling and other costs.