Government: Ministerial Cars

Lord Davies of Oldham Excerpts

Tuesday 5th October 2010 Lords Chamber

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, the answer remains the same. On security grounds, former Prime Ministers and Ministers may continue to have the use of an allocated car and driver.

[Lord Davies of Oldham]

My Lords, is the reduction in the use of ministerial cars a reflection of the priorities of the Government in cutting public expenditure or is it a reflection of the fact that more than half the Cabinet are wealthy enough to be able to afford their own cars and drivers?

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, whether the Cabinet is wealthy or not is immaterial. The objective is to reduce the government deficit and we will do that any way we can, including by reducing expenditure on the Government’s car fleet.