Local MP invites PM for a drive as new figures reveal no ministerial cars made at Nissan Sunderland In response to questions from Houghton and Sunderland South MP, Bridget Phillipson, the government has admitted that not one of its ministerial cars has been built by Nissan in Sunderland. This is despite the fact that David Cameron publicly praised Nissan’s UK manufacturing plant in Sunderland, hailing their all-electric LEAF as an example of British excellence. The government has also admitted in response to a separate question that a quarter of all cars bought for ministers since 2010 have been foreign made. The figures reveal the Conservative-led Government is failing to practice what they preach after they publicly spoke out about government awarding contracts to foreign businesses.

Bridget Phillipson MP said:

“David Cameron talks a good game but these figures show that the PM has failed to back up his words with actions. “It tells you a lot about a government that while they rightly use Nissan as an example of British manufacturing success, they fail to invest in supporting the 30,000 direct and indirect jobs dependent on Nissan’s presence on Wearside. “I’d be happy to take the Prime Minister, or any transport minister, on a tour of Sunderland in my own Nissan car setting out the case for supporting north east jobs.”

More information On 17 June, the Government answered a Written Parliamentary Question from Bridget Phillipson MP on the vehicles purchased by the Tory-led Government since May 2010 for the Government Car Service.

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Dudley North of 22 June 2010, Official Report, column 113W, on the Government Car and Dispatch Agency, what the (a)make, (b) model and (c) place of manufacture was of each car (i) purchased and (ii) leased by the Government Car Service since 6 May 2010; and how much each such car cost to purchase or lease. [199983] Stephen Hammond: The make, model, place of manufacture and cost of purchase or lease for cars procured formerly by the Government Car and Despatch Agency and latterly by the Government Car Service since the 6 May 2010 are set out in the following table. The current Government Car Service fleet is comprised of 85 cars, reduced from 227 cars as at 31March 2010. Hansard, 17 June 2014 : Column 532W –http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm140617/text/140617w0001.htm#14061781000019

The answer includes details of the make, model, price and country of manufacture of the 85 vehicles in the Government Car Service. In a separate Written Question, the Government has confirmed that none of the vehicles in the Car Service are manufactured by Nissan even after trailing use of the Nissan Leaf, built in Sunderland.

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles built by Nissan are in the Government car pool. [198961]

Stephen Hammond: There are 84 vehicles operated by the Government Car Service for ministerial use. None of these are currently built by Nissan. The Government Car Service trialled the use of a Nissan Leaf in 2012 and it operated the Nissan Primera within the ministerial fleet until 2005. The ministerial fleet is scheduled for review later this year. Hansard, 17 June 2014 : Column 532W http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm140618/text/140618w0002.htm#140618w0002.htm_wqn67