asked the Minister of Transport when the White Paper on transport policy will be available.

I would refer the hon. Member to the announcement on this subject by my right hon. Friend the leader of the House last Thursday.

Will the Minister state whether there was full consultation with the Chairman of the British Transport Commission and the chairmen of the various executives concerned before decisions regarding transport policy were reached?

The Question refers to the timing of the publication, not to consultation.

Will the hon. Gentleman kindly answer my question? Can he say Whether, before determining the date of the publication of this White Paper, there was full consultation with the people concerned?

If the hon. Gentleman requires that information, may I respectfully suggest that he might have put down the question?

Does the Parliamentary Secretary know the answer, but not wish to give it—and if so why? —or does he not know the answer?

Am I to understand from the hon. Gentleman's refusal to give an answer that there has been no consultation?