To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost was to her Department for (a) ministerial cars and drivers, (b) taxis, (c)train travel, (d) the use of helicopters, (e) airline tickets and (f) chartered aeroplanes in each year since 1997.[123081]
With regard to the costs for ministerial cars and drivers, I refer to the answer given by the Cabinet Office and the letter from the Chief Executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency to the hon. Gentleman, dated 17 September 2003.The costs to the Department for taxis, train travel and airline tickets, use of helicopters and chartered planes since 8 June 2001, when Defra was formed, are as follows:
| Year end 31 March | Train travel (£) | Public transport travel (£) |
| 2001–02(part year) | 1,487,983 | 636,681 |
| 2002–03 | 1,631,848 | 620,267 |
| 2003–04(to 31 July) | 688,191 | 201,403 |
The figures for 2001–02 and 2002–03 include travel expenses incurred as a result of foot and mouth disease.All the figures for 'Travel by Public Transport' includes the use of helicopters, chartered planes, airline tickets, taxis, bus, underground and pedal cycle expenses, and can be broken down further only at disproportionate cost.