Departments: Taxis

Mr. Francois
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on taxis in 2006-07.

John Healey
Use of a taxi at the Treasury's expense is not an entitlement and official journeys should wherever possible be made on public transport. However, when there is no reasonable and cost-effective alternative, for example when travelling home after working late into the night, the Treasury may justify the use of a taxi. Expenditure in 2006-07 was £188,000.