asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many lorry routes have been designated by his Department; what are the criteria used for establishing them; and whether it is his intention, as far as is possible, to divert heavy road traffic out of city and town centres.

I am considering policy on national lorry routes in the light of the many comments received on the consultation paper I issued last year. One aspect will be how far heavier lorries can at acceptable cost be kept away from town centres.