INFORMATION ON THE USE OF GOVERNMENT CAR SERVICE VEHICLES BY SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE MINISTERS, SENIOR OFFICIALS AND OTHER RELEVANT PERSONS.
How many journeys were carried out by the GCS on each of the following years, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004?
The numbers provided were compiled using data from 2 different scheduling methods.
(i) Up to and including July 2002, GCS relied on a manual scheduling system where journeys were recorded as one, regardless of the number of points of call.
(ii) From 1st August 2002, GCS installed a computerised scheduling system which only accepts a single point of call as one journey.
The totals in each of the tables are therefore not comparable.
Manual scheduling system |
| |
Calendar Year | Journeys carried out/organised by GCS |
| |
1997 | No information held. |
1998 | 3,704 |
1999(1) | 5,538 |
2000 | 6,149 |
2001 | 6,673 |
2002 (up to and including July)(2) | 3,999 |
| |
Computerised scheduling system |
| |
Calendar Year | Journeys carried out/organised by GCS |
| |
2002 (from August to December)(2) | 5,709 |
2003 | 11,531 |
2004 | 12,317 |
| |
Note: (1) The increase in the number journeys in 1999 can be attributed to the increase in the number of Ministers following the devolution settlement.
(2) The large variation between the numbers journeys carried out during the first 7 months and those completed in the latter months simply reflect the 2 different recording methods, and not because of any increase in the workload.
Since the 1st July 2004, how many journeys have been made between St Andrews House and the new Scottish Parliament building? Additionally, how many are these as a fraction of all the journeys carried out by the GCS since that date.
Between 1st July 2004, and 10 February 2005, GCS arranged transport for 276 journeys between St Andrews House and the Scottish Parliament, representing one in twenty nine of all journeys arranged.
Background Information
The operation of the Government Car Service in Scotland (GCS) is consistent with UK guidance on use of official cars issued in May 1997. GCS provides/arranges transport for a wide range of customers, including Scottish Ministers, Ministers of UK Government Departments when in Scotland, some senior officials at the Scottish Executive, visiting dignitaries, and where necessary the transportation of official documents. Ministers use public transport and walk to engagements wherever possible and value for money is always our priority. Arrangements for travel are made to support the efficient conduct of Government business; and provide a safe and secure environment for both the passenger and official documents.