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DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Government Cars

Mr. Watson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many, and what make and model of cars have been purchased by each Government Department since 1997. [21988]

Mr. Leslie: There is no centrally held record of all cars that have been purchased by all Government Departments since 1997. The Government Car Service has purchased the following cars since 1997, including cars purchased on behalf of the Cabinet Office:

Make and modelNumber purchased
Ford Mondeo76
Ford Galaxy3
Vauxhall Omega 59
Vauxhall Vectra78
Vauxhall Astra15
Rover 4007
Rover 459
Rover 8009
Rover 755
Land Rover Discovery1
Jaguar/Daimler10
Nissan Primera9
Peugeot 6071
Toyota Prius1

Mr. Watson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance is given to Government Departments on the purchase of car fleets. [21986]

Mr. Leslie: There is no specific central guidance issued on the purchase of car fleets. However, Government Departments have to be satisfied that they are achieving value for money and that they comply with European Union regulations on public procurement.

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The purchase or hire of cars and other vehicles is subject to the Suppliers Directive (93/36/EC as last amended by Directive 97/52/EC). Together with the relevant Remedies Directive (89/665/EEC) the Suppliers Directive has been given effect in the UK by the Public Supply Contract Regulations (SI.1995/201, last amended by SI.2000/2009). Compliance with these Regulations will also fulfil the purchaser's obligations towards suppliers from third countries pursuant to the EEA Treaty, various Europe Agreements and the WTO Government Procurement Agreement. The current threshold is £93,896 and there are rules that require recurrent purchasers to be considered in aggregate over a governed period for the purpose of applying the threshold. Government Departments and other public bodies are responsible for complying with the regulations. The commission will follow up complaints of non-compliance with the member state concerned and may initiate proceedings under Article 226/EC. In the UK interested suppliers harmed or at risk of harm from the breach of the rules can seek interim or final remedies in the High Court (Court of Session in Scotland) which may lead to an interim or final injunction or the award of damages.

Departmental Promotions

Dr. Cable: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much his Department spent on information literature, advertising and campaign material in the financial years (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 (e) 1999–2000 and (f) 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [12256]

Mr. Leslie: Expenditure on information literature, advertising and campaign material—which includes the cost of employment recruitment—over those years is as follows: (a) £1,347,820; (b) £2,172,064; (c) £1,511,039; (d) £2,565,074; (e) £4,032,479; (f) £3,449,218.

New Deal

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people are employed by the Department under the new deal for young people; and at what cost to public funds. [21316]

Mr. Leslie: There are at present three new deal placements between the ages of 18 and 24 within the Cabinet Office costing an average of £17,833 (which is

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made up of basic salary, Employers National Insurance and Pensions Contributions). Taking into account available subsidies this figures reduces to £15,523 per placement.

The Cabinet Office has subsequently employed three new deal placements over the age of 24 on a permanent contract through open and fair competition.

Performance Targets

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) if the Department broke even on an accruals basis in 2000–01; [21464]

Mr. Leslie: The Cabinet Office does not have a specific break-even performance target, as it does not on the whole charge for its services apart from the administration and management of civil service pensions and for some of the activities delivered by Centre for Management and Policy Studies.

However the Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA), which is an executive agency of the Cabinet Office, and the Central Office of Information (COI), which is an executive agency and separate Government Department reporting to the Deputy Prime Minister, both have a key performance target to break-even on an accruals basis.

The GCDA met its break-even target for the financial year 2000–01. This was reported in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year 2000–01, which were laid before Parliament on 17 July 2001. At this stage, it is on course to meet its target in 2001–02.

Central Office of Information (COI) met its break-even target for the financial year 2000–01. This was reported in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year 2000–01, which were laid before Parliament on 20 July 2001. It is on course to meet its target for 2001–02.

The Department is on course to deliver its agreed public service agreement targets, as detailed in the Cabinet Office's Departmental Report 2001, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.