THE chief executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency has defended ministers' use of chauffeur-driven cars for official duties against allegations of abuse. Unnamed Government officials have called for an investigation of the pool car system after claiming that ministers were using agency cars, paid for by the taxpayer, to visit their constituencies and even for social occasions.

The ministerial code for car use stipulates that it is 'wrong in principle for ministers to use for party or constituency work facilities provided at Government expense to enable them to carry out their official duties'. Only in certain circumstances, such as when a minister's security is believed to be at risk, should the rules be relaxed.

Agency chief executive Nick Matheson said: 'While it is up to individual Government departments to decide when the cars and drivers are needed, I could be called on to investigate if there was evidence of improper use - but there is none. There is clear guidance on car usage and the drivers, who I believe are honourable and discreet, have a duty to report any improper use.'