Departments: Official Cars

Mr. Simon
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what make and model of car (a) he and (b) each Minister in his Department selected as their official ministerial car; and what criteria were used when making the decision in each case.

Dr. Ladyman
The Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) is responsible for providing ministerial cars in line with the ministerial code and the Prime Minister's guidance Travel by Ministers'.

GCDA advises the Prime Minister on the suitability of cars for inclusion in his guidance, taking into account a number of criteria when assessing suitable cars including their environmental impact, running and maintenance costs and overall suitability as a ministerial car.

It is for individual ministers to account for their travel arrangements. Ministers in the Department for Transport are provided with three Toyota Prius and one Ford Mondeo for their official use.