asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements are made to reimburse Lords-in-Waiting when acting as Government spokesmenin the House of Lords for expenses incurred by them on official Government business.

:Lords-in-Waiting, as Members of the Government, are entitled, if they request it, to receive secretarial assistance from Departmental staff for the discharge of their official duties. If these duties require them to travel they are also entitled, subject to the regulations which apply to Ministers generally, to travelling expenses and subsistence allowance at the appropriate rates.

Is the Minister aware that Lord Mancroft complained in the House of Lords on 19th January that, in order to deal with a Motion on behalf of the Government he had to travel to Wales at his own expense? Is that the policy of the Government?

The regulations are as I have described. I cannot really comment on a particular case without notice.