§ Mr. Gowasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the cost to public funds of the consideration by the Traffic Commissioners for the South Eastern Traffic Area of the application by Waterhouse Coaches Limited, filed in October 1974, for a road service licence for a service of eight extended tours, involving a two-day hearing before the Commissioners in Eastbourne on 7th January and 7th March 1975, a public inquiry in Eastbourne on 8th December 1975, a 25 page report by the inspector, Mr. J. E. B. Finlay, dated January 1976, and his own decision made on 6th May 1976.
§ Mr. MarksAdditional costs specifically incurred by reason of the employment of the inspector in this case—i.e., fees, expenses, and the cost of typing his report—amounted to £543–24. How-648W ever, no apportionment is made of the time of staff in traffic area offices engaged on individual applications for road service licences or the time of staff in the Department engaged on individual appeals, so no overall costing for the particular case is practicable.