Written question asked by Chris Mullin (Labour) on Thursday, 15 October 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 October 2009. It was answered by Paul Clark (Labour) on Monday, 26 October 2009 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Official Cars: Working Hours

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of the operation of the European Working Time Directive on the Government Car Service; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Changes to the Government Car Service which came into effect on 12 October 2009, will reduce the cost to the taxpayer. Under the new system, drivers work a single daily shift of 10 hours. Ministers continue to have one dedicated driver (apart from those in the high security category), but any out-of-hours ministerial driving is met, on demand, by the Government Car and Despatch Agency's low carbon taxi service. This is a better deal for taxpayers than the previous arrangements.

Secondary information