asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he is taking to implement the recommendation of his Advisory Council on Energy Conservation on the need to encourage cycling.

The Advisory Council on Energy Conservation recommended that a comprehensive report be prepared on the provision of cycle paths or roads restricted for cycle use; and that VAT should be removed from pedal cycles. These both raised difficulties for the Government at a time of severe constraints on the economy generally and on Civil Service manpower in particular and the Government's programme of future works, as set out in the White Paper on Energy Conservation (Cmnd 6575), has given priority to other lines of action. The safety of cyclists on existing roads is the concern of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, and I understand his Department has issued technical notes for guidance to local authorities and is associated with experimental schemes in the field.