Written question asked by Jon Trickett (Labour) on Monday, 19 March 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 March 2012. It was answered by Lord Robathan (Conservative) on Tuesday, 27 March 2012 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Taxis

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on taxis for (a) Ministers and (b) civil servants between August 2011 and January 2012.

Answer: The Defence Ministers spent £337 on taxis between 1 August 2011 and 31 January 2012.Taxi fares reimbursed to civil servants are not recorded separately from fares incurred for travel by bus or on the underground.Ministry of Defence staff may only use a taxi for official duty when there is a business benefit to the Department or when it saves money. A taxi is typically used where no other suitable form of public transport is available or where heavy baggage or equipment has to be carried.

Secondary information