§ Lord Hoyleasked Her Majesty's Government:
What advice is given to British Embassies and High Commissions on the use of cars of British origin by the Ambassador or High Commissioner and his or her staff; and how many Embassies and High Commissions are not using motor vehicles of British origin. [HL212]
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)Procurement of vehicles for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is based on achieving value for money, normally by competition and in a manner which conforms to appropriate UK regulations and European Union directives. Within that approach, we prefer British missions abroad to buy British cars, where they are readily available and represent value for money.
The FCO has negotiated framework contracts with Jaguar, Land Rover and MG Rover; 95 per cent of our heads of mission abroad drive cars bought under these contracts.