Parliamentary Questions - Written Replies

ROYAL TRAVEL: The Royal Train was used by members of the Royal Family on 36 occasions in 1990, 50 in 1991 and 37 in 1992, Roger Freeman, Minister of State for Transport, told Alan Williams (Lab, Swansea West).

A Department of Transport spokesman said later that pounds 1.42m had been spent on travel and maintenance costs, and pounds 850,000 on refurbishment, in 1990-91. Estimated total spending for 1991-92 is pounds 2.6m.

In another reply, Archie Hamilton, Minister of State for Defence, told Mr Williams that the Royal Yacht had been used on 100 occasions since 1990. A departmental spokesman estimated costs at pounds 9.27m for 1990-91 and pounds 11.46m for 1991-2. Mr Williams commented: 'The House of Commons must assert its right to scrutinise this spending on the royals.'

EC TRAVEL: Passports will still be needed for travel between Britain and other EC countries after 1 January 1993, despite final European trade barriers coming down, Kenneth Clarke, the Home Secretary, said. The only exception will be travelling to and from the Irish Republic, because it is a common travel area.