Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what total amount his Department spent on ministerial travel by (a) the Government Car and Despatch Agency and (b) other car hire in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (iii) 2009-10.

(a) I refer my hon. Friend to the following:

• The Written Ministerial Statement given by the then Secretary of State for Transport on 22 July 2008, Official Report, Column 116-118WS.
• The Written Ministerial Statement by then then Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport on 16 July 2009, Official Report, Column 79-80WS.
• The Written Minsterial Statement given by my rt. hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Transport on 28 October 2010, Official Report, Column 23WS.

(b) Information on other car hire is as follows:

• The Department was established in October 2008 as a result it does not hold any data for the period of 2007 to September 2008.
• Data for the period of October 2008 to March 2009 is not readily available as this is not centrally held by the department.
• £303.74 was spent on other car hire during 2009/10.

The high costs to the Government Car and Despatch Agency between 2008 and 2010 were as a result of the Department managing 3 to 4 cars. The Department now manages only one car, which has contributed to bringing down overall costs to travel.