FOI release

Ministerial car

Published 4 January 2011

We were asked about the ministerial car in Cardiff 

  • What is the monthly cost of leasing the Jaguar for use in Cardiff?
  • What were the reasons/business case for having two cars based in Cardiff and London and then leasing a Jaguar in Cardiff?
  • Are logs kept of how many times the Jaguar was used by the then Secretary of State in 2008-09 and 2009-10? If so could you provide the details?
  • What is the model of Jaguar used and how long does the lease agreement run for?
  • Are records available of how many miles per gallon the Jaguar does?

We answered:

  • The monthly cost of leasing the Jaguar in Cardiff is £838.92 plus VAT
  • The Wales Office has never had two vehicles based in Cardiff and London and another one leased in Cardiff. We previously had two cars in London - one for the Secretary of State and one for the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State - and one in Cardiff until our current Secretary of State upon taking office decided to dispense with one of the London cars.  In Cardiff and London the vehicles are for the use of Ministers whilst undertaking their official duties and visits.  In Cardiff the car is also used on other occasions, such as when other Ministers visit Wales
  • Logs show that the then Secretary of State used the Jaguar 175 times in 2008-09 and 247 times in 2009-10
  • The Jaguar is an XJ TDVi Executive 2.7 litre diesel auto saloon. The current lease for the Jaguar was taken out in May 2008 and expires May 2012
  • The Jaguar does 25.6 mpg