HC Deb 12 May 2004 vol 421 cc398-9W
Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding has been given by his Department, and its predecessors, in each year since 1997 towards the(a) development and (b) promotion of (i) car clubs, (ii) car sharing and (iii) the Carplus scheme. [172292]

Mr. McNulty

Car sharing was featured as part of the Government's sustainable development campaign, 'Are Your Doing You Bit' prior to 2000. For example, as part of the programme, the Department's predecessor DETR contributed setting up costs of £150,000 to establish the Edinburgh City Car Club in 1999.

Building on this the Department has been promoting car sharing through its published guidance and initiatives on work place and schools travel plans and by funding bursary schemes.

Since 1999 the Department has been supporting the Carplus car club advisory service with the following annual grants:

  • 1999—£37,000
  • 2000—£38,000
  • 2001—£103,000
  • 2002—£53,000
  • 2003—£60,000
  • 2003—£60,000

Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the average occupancy of motor vehicles for each year since 1997. [172335]

Mr. McNulty

Occupancy figures for cars and light vans for Great Britain from the National Travel Survey are as follows:

  • 1997—1.60
  • 1998—1.59
  • 1999—1.59
  • 2000—1.59
  • 2001—1.59
  • 2002—1.58

Figures for 2003 are not yet available.