Ministers urged to replace Jags

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Ministers have been urged to "lead by example" in the fight against climate change, and replace ministerial cars.

Labour MP Mary Creagh said many now used greener "hybrid" cars, but added: "There are still some Cabinet-level Jaguars around the place."

The MP, who cycles, said more ministers should switch to hybrid cars.

Environment Minister Ian Pearson said they could "do more", but said they were buying more low-carbon vehicles and converting Jaguars to use biofuels.

'Example'

Ms Creagh said she was reluctant to tell anyone to get rid of their Jaguars., adding: "However, there is a point where politicians have to lead by example."

She asked Mr Pearson: "Can you encourage your Cabinet-level colleagues to take up hybrid cars?"

Mr Pearson replied that he and his fellow Defra ministers had walked to the Commons that morning.

But he added that the government needed to "do more" when it came to procurement of low-carbon vehicles.

"That is exactly what we are doing as well as converting some Jaguars and others to use biofuels," he said.

As the Government Car and Despatch Agency phases out its oldest ministerial cars, it is replacing them with either petrol and electric-run "hybrid" vehicles or diesel cars, with engines capable of running on a biodiesel "blend". Ministers are now offered a choice of the two.

It is part of the government's commitment to become "carbon neutral" by 2012.

A Department for Transport spokesman said there was no "league table" of the greenest departments, but Defra says its ministers use the Prius.