§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost of(a) ministerial cars and drivers and (b) taxis for his Department was in 2002. [101538]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe cost of ministerial cars and drivers for the Department will be addressed in a letter from Mr. Nick Matheson, the Chief Executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency to the hon. Member.
Taxis may be used for a variety of reasons, including disability, personal safety or when it is more cost effective to do so. The cost of taxis to my Department during 2002 was 55079.70. This figure is for the period 1 April to 31 December 2002 and is inclusive of all types of taxi services. My Department does not hold information on the cost of the different types, e.g black cabs or minicabs. The period 1 January to 31 March 2002 was for the predecessor Department of Transport Local Government and the Regions and the cost of taxis was not kept separately from other travel costs.