To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many miles (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have travelled by taxi in the course of their official duties in each year since 1997; and at what cost to the public purse in each such year. (302711)

The information requested on mileage could not be provided within the disproportionate costs threshold. Spending on taxis/private hire in 2008-09 was £219,000 and in 2007-08 £216,000. For information on spending in earlier years I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the former Exchequer Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Angela Eagle) on 26 November 2008, Official Report, column 1922W to the hon. Member for Hertford & Stortford (Mr. Prisk).