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Civil servants 'borrowing ministerial cars' Civil servants 'borrowing ministerial cars'
(35 minutes later)
Civil servants have been borrowing ministers' official cars for their own use, it has emerged.Civil servants have been borrowing ministers' official cars for their own use, it has emerged.
The government has cut the number of ministerial cars and drivers.The government has cut the number of ministerial cars and drivers.
Ministers have faced criticism in the press for using the vehicles instead of taking public transport.Ministers have faced criticism in the press for using the vehicles instead of taking public transport.
But a series of Parliamentary questions from Conservative MP Gavin Williamson reveal that when some ministers leave their cars behind, their civil servants can take them out instead. But a series of questions from a Conservative MP reveal that when some ministers leave their cars behind, their civil servants can take them out instead, on government business.
Mr Williamson said: "I think some civil servants are still stuck in the world or Sir Humphrey and should recognise the fact that those cars aren't there to chauffeur them around in the lap of luxury. Gavin Williamson said: "I think some civil servants are still stuck in the world or Sir Humphrey and should recognise the fact that those cars aren't there to chauffeur them around in the lap of luxury.
"They're for the purpose of work.""They're for the purpose of work."
'Business need''Business need'
Responding to his written questions in parliament, both the Department for Business and the Department for Energy and Climate Change said: "When the allocated car provided by the Government Car Service is not used by Ministers it can be used for the transport of other officials."Responding to his written questions in parliament, both the Department for Business and the Department for Energy and Climate Change said: "When the allocated car provided by the Government Car Service is not used by Ministers it can be used for the transport of other officials."
A business department spokesman confirmed senior civil servants could use the car allocated to the department when it was not being used by a minister, but added civil servants rarely did so.A business department spokesman confirmed senior civil servants could use the car allocated to the department when it was not being used by a minister, but added civil servants rarely did so.
Politically appointed special advisers could only travel in the car along with ministers, said the spokesman.Politically appointed special advisers could only travel in the car along with ministers, said the spokesman.
The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said it had only one departmental car.The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said it had only one departmental car.
A spokesman said: "To maximise value for money the car can also be accessed by DECC officials if there is a clear business need. This system ensures best use of the vehicle and driver and departmental resources."A spokesman said: "To maximise value for money the car can also be accessed by DECC officials if there is a clear business need. This system ensures best use of the vehicle and driver and departmental resources."
Before the general election David Cameron said people were annoyed by "politicians swanning around in chauffeur-driven cars like they're the Royal Family".Before the general election David Cameron said people were annoyed by "politicians swanning around in chauffeur-driven cars like they're the Royal Family".
The amount of money spent by government departments on official cars from the Government Car and Despatch Agency dropped from £6.7m in 2009/10 to £1.9m in 2011/12.The amount of money spent by government departments on official cars from the Government Car and Despatch Agency dropped from £6.7m in 2009/10 to £1.9m in 2011/12.
The most recent figures show there were 13 Agency cars allocated to government departments last year.The most recent figures show there were 13 Agency cars allocated to government departments last year.
The figures do not include the cost of vehicles provided to ministers who have cars for security reasons.The figures do not include the cost of vehicles provided to ministers who have cars for security reasons.
Transport minister Simon Burns faced criticism after the Mail on Sunday revealed he used a government car to commute from his constituency home in Chelmsford to London.Transport minister Simon Burns faced criticism after the Mail on Sunday revealed he used a government car to commute from his constituency home in Chelmsford to London.
The Department for Transport said he worked on official papers during his commute and travelled in the car for security reasons.The Department for Transport said he worked on official papers during his commute and travelled in the car for security reasons.