§ Mr. Christopher ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the policy is of his Department in relation to the reimbursement of Central London road user charges incurred by its employees. [81841]
§ Jane KennedyIt is general departmental travel planning policy that staff should not use cars to commute to and from work. However, staff on official business who are required to drive their own vehicles, or hire vehicles, within the charging zone will be reimbursed.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the estimated cost is to his 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. [81880]
§ Jane KennedyAll civil servants are responsible for payment of their own everyday home to office travel costs. The introduction of a Central London user charge will not affect this basic condition of service.
Any additional costs to the Department as a result of the congestion charging scheme will be just one element within wider costs which have to be met from budgets for official travelling and other costs.