To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mechanisms are in place to ensure that staff who drive (a) a vehicle for which (i) his Department and (ii) one of its executive agencies is responsible have valid driving licences and (b) their own vehicles in the course of their official duties for (A) his Department and (B) one of its executive agencies have valid driving licences and insurance; what guidance is issued to those staff in respect of road safety while carrying out official duties; what steps are taken to monitor compliance with that guidance; what requirements there are on such staff to report to their line managers accidents in which they are involved while driving in the course of their official duties; and whether such reports are investigated. (302167)

The following mechanisms are in place covering those staff using UK fleet vehicles for which Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Services is responsible:

The Transport Management Team request and hold copies on file of driving licences of all FCO staff who require hire of official vehicles and visual checks are carried out every six months. This is in line with Freight Transport Association (FTA) regulations.

Staff are covered under a central insurance policy while using official cars for official duties.

The Transport Management Team within FCO Services monitors a range of measures to ensure road safety among their drivers including:

All FCO Services large goods vehicle (LGV) drivers attend at least 35 hours of compulsory training every five years in accordance with FTA/Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency regulations.

Transport Managers who manage drivers with legal commitments (driving hours, tachograph, 48 hour Working Time Directive) have all undertaken and hold the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in Road Transport. Drivers are also now undertaking the drivers’ CPC qualification.

A programme of courses is in place to up-skill drivers which looks at driving techniques in difficult driving situations.

All accidents involving FCO Fleet vehicles or affecting FCO Services drivers are documented and investigated in accordance with law.

It is not possible to provide an answer covering official vehicles at post overseas without incurring disproportionate cost as arrangements are post specific.

No checks are made on the licences of those staff who use their own vehicles in the course of their official duties. Staff should ensure that their own insurance policy covers use for business purposes. There is no requirement for checks to be made.

No guidance is issued to staff in respect of road safety while using their own vehicles for official duties in the UK. Guidance may be issued to those staff using their own vehicles overseas although this would be specific to the post.

There is no requirement for staff to report accidents in which they are involved while driving their own vehicles in the course of their official duties.