To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contracts his Department has with private hire taxi companies; and what expenditure his Department has incurred against each such contract in each of the last three years. (300832)

The core-Department has no contracts with private hire taxi companies. Paragraph 8.2 of the civil service management code requires staff use the most efficient and economic means of travel in the circumstances, taking into account any management benefit or the needs of staff with disabilities.

On expenditure, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Southwark and Bermondsey (Simon Hughes) of 21 October 2009, Official Report, columns 1455-56W.