HC Deb 22 March 1982 vol 20 cc269-70W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make available in some form to hon. Members either a copy or resumé of his press notice 84 dated 8 March regarding the London Transport strike; what were the costs involved in issuing this; and whether in future he will make such statements to the House either in person or in the Official Report.

Mr. David Howell

As with all my press notices, three copies were placed in the House of Commons Library. In addition, because of their special interest in London matters, all London MPs, including the hon. Member, were sent individual copies of this particular notice. I do not consider that time spent costing an infomation exercise of this sort would be a sensible use of my Department's resources. Nor do I consider a statement to the House would have been particularly appropriate. The press notice indicated some of the matters the GLC and I discussed, including the proposed LT strike, which I had already deplored.