Reflecting our responsibilities for local government, housing, planning and communities, the work of the Department involves staff travelling to different parts of the country. We reimburse staff for the cost of travel at the prevailing HMRC mileage rates. Between 1 May 2010 and 31 December 2012, mileage costs totalled £302,888 representing 724,038 miles travelled by staff on departmental business over the two and a half years. Notwithstanding, I also refer the hon. Member to my answer to him of 9 January 2013, Official Report, column 280W, on the steps we are taking to promote the use of video-conferencing.