§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was of travel by train by staff in his Department in 2002. [106351]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring that its staff should use the most efficient and economic means of travel commensurate with meeting the Department"s operational needs. To deliver this commitment, travel by rail is co-ordinated, managed and negotiated centrally within the MOD. Central negotiations are undertaken with the Association of Train Operating Companies and the MOD secures contracts for discounted travel. The resulting expenditure, after the MOD discount, for the financial year just ended April 2002 to March 2003, was £33,604,837. This figure is provisional and subject to final audit.