asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the rules and regulations governing the use of the Government car service by (a) members of Her Majesty's Government, (b) members of Her Majesty's Opposition and (c) members of the Civil Service.

I have been asked to reply.Provided it will save time Ministers with first call on a car may use it on weekdays in London for any purpose except party business. They may also use it for the purpose of attending an official engagement outside London if that is the most convenient way of travelling to their destination. In certain circumstances they may also use cars for journeys of up to 50 miles between home and office—or at weekends between home and a convenient airport or railway station. At weekends cars may normally be used only for official purposes or for social occasions of an official character in London. Other Ministers may use pool cars for official purposes and home to office journeys when pressed for time. On security grounds certain Ministers, the Leader of the Opposition and certain other Members of Parliament may use cars for all journeys by road. They are charged at the Civil Service motor mileage allowance rate for journeys made for private or party purposes not otherwise covered by the rules. Civil Servants may