GOVERNMENT Car Services costs were £7.6 million in 1996-97, according to a Parliamentary written answer from chief executive Nick Matheson. The organisation operates a 176-strong fleet of cars and a further 63 vehicles, largely Ford Transit vans, which it uses to transport Government ministers and VIPs and has an inter-building courier service which operates nationwide.

Last month the organisation announced that over the next six years it would be converting the car fleet to gas power. Matheson said in answer to a question from MP Norman Baker: 'The estimated cost of vehicles and drivers allocated to ministers and their private offices was £4.1 million, although they are also used for several other purposes such as the movement of documents and for use by officials as directed by the ministerial private office. The Government Car and Despatch Agency charges customer departments for the services provided on a basis that recovers all costs.'