To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many miles (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department 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. (302713)

Taxis are used where it is the most cost-effective and economical way of conducting business travel. The mileage accrued when travelling is not recorded. Due to the way that expense data are recorded, the Department is not able to identify expense claims for taxi travel. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.