asked the Minister of Transport what was the cost to public funds of transporting around the objectors to the various routes of the A30 at the recent inquiry; and under what part of the rules of the inquiry procedure this is permitted.

£180. This was for conveying the inspector and his secretary, the programming officer, two departmental representatives and between three and 11 objectors to the various sites on five separate days.Site inspections are provided for under rule 14 of the Highways (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 1976.