THE Government is trying to green up and clean up its own back yard by setting environmental targets for its own car fleet. An average fuel consumption target of 25.5mpg has been set by the Government Car Service in a bid to minimise the environmental impact of its fleet, and it achieved this target last year.

Ministers will certainly come under pressure to reduce their usage of chauffeur driven, gas-guzzling Jaguars and Rover 800s as they exort the public to leave their cars at home.

But the security implications of transporting both ministers of state and their official and confidential red boxes means cars will remain the most viable means of transport for many journeys.

Senior cabinet ministers receive an official Jaguar or Daimler, while other Cabinet ministers receive a Rover 827 or 825 Sterling, and junior ministers have a choice of a 2.0 litre engined Rover 400, Ford Mondeo, or Vauxhall Vectra.