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Staff Travel
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the mileage rates applicable from January 1999 to staff, indicating changes which have been made to encourage staff to switch from cars to public transport and other less polluting forms of travel. [79522]
Mr. Timms: For some years the Department has operated a single mileage rate based on the average of the bands set by the Inland Revenue Authorised Mileage Rates. This acts as a disincentive for the use of larger engine capacity cars (over 1500 cc).
The rates are payable irrespective of the type of fuel used thus benefiting staff driving alternative fuelled vehicles.
We are currently revising the pedal cycle rate to encourage the use of bicycles.
The tables give details of the current rates.
31 Mar 1999 : Column: 842
| Category | Up to 4,000 miles | Over 4,000 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Motor cars | 40.0p | 22.5p |
| Motor cycles (third party insurance) | ||
| Up to 125cc | 14.6p | 6.1p |
| Over 125cc | 22.1p | 9.0p |
| Motor cycles (comprehensive insurance) | ||
| Up to 125cc | 16.2p | 6.1p |
| Over 125cc | 25.3p | 9.0p |
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Motor car | 22.5p |
| Motor cycles | |
| Up to 125cc | 6.1p |
| Over 125cc | 9.0p |
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Private use cars | 7.5p |
| Pedal cycle | 6.0p |
Lobbyists
Mr. Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a list, including names and dates, of all meetings that (a) he, (b) his officials, (c) his advisers and (d) his PPS have held during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 with people who work for political lobbying firms or for businesses that are members of the Public Relations Consultants Association. [79641]
Mr. Darling: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 9 March 1999, Official Report, column 168. The requirements of the Ministerial Code also apply to Parliamentary Private Secretaries when attending any meetings in an official or semi-official capacity.