§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many miles the Royal Train has travelled in the period January 1996 to date when carrying(a) the Queen, (b) the Prince of Wales and (c) other members of the Royal Family; and how many journeys were undertaken by persons in these categories. [21109]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonFrom 1 January 1996 until 31 March 1997 the Royal Train travelled some 9,500 miles while carrying members of the Royal Family. During this period, nine journeys were undertaken by HM the Queen, 15 journeys by HRH the Prince of Wales, and 12 journeys by other members of the Royal Family.
From 1 April 1997, the costs of official Royal travel by rail and air have been met by the Royal Household. The arrangements under which grant-in-aid is paid to the Household to support these costs require the Household to prepare an annual report on the use that has been made of the grant-in-aid. Particulars of the journeys made by the Royal Train from 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998 will be included in the first such annual report which is to be published and placed in the Library of the House within three months of the end of the financial year.