asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost to his Department of taking the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment the hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Marks), by special train on an official visit to Manchester, the cost of services provided on the train, staffing of the train and the cost of the entertainment and accommodation which the party enjoyed at Birmingham.

The cost to the Department was confined to overnight accommodation at Birmingham, totalling £45·34. The other costs were met by the British Railways Board, at whose invitation the visit was made.