asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in respect of the construction of toad tunnels and badger crossings in new road schemes.

The Department of Transport makes every effort to minimise any disruptive effect to wildlife arising from national road schemes. In a number of cases, tunnels or underpasses have been provided to protect animals using their accustomed routes. Each case is considered on its merits following consultation with the Nature Conservancy Council and other interested bodies.A copy of "Transport and the Environment", published by the Department on 5 May, has been placed in the Library.