HC Deb 05 February 1997 vol 289 cc647-9W
Mr. Corbett

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what has been the cost of upkeep, maintenance and operation of the royal train in each of the last three years; [13689]

(2) what, in each of the past five years, has been the annual public subsidy for the royal train. [13692]

Mr. Watts

[holding answer 31 January 1997]: The total cost to the Exchequer of royal travel by train, including train maintenance, preparation, operational and British Transport police security, was the following:

  • 1991–92: £2.6 million
  • 1992–93: £2.5 million
  • 1993–94: £2.8 million
  • 1994–95: £2.5 million
  • 1995–96: £1.9 million

Mr. Corbett

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times in each of the past five years the royal train has been used on(a) official and (b) private journeys. [13688]

Mr. Watts

[holding answer 31 January 1997]: The royal train is used only on official business. It has been used on the following numbers of occasions in the last five years;

  • 1991–92: 43
  • 1992–93: 35
  • 1993–94: 47
  • 1994–95: 27
  • 1995–96: 31

Mr. Corbett

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those members of the royal family who have made(a) public use and (b) private use of the royal train in each of the past five years. [13670]

Mr. Watts

[holding answer 31 January 1997:]: I understand that the following members of the royal family have made public use of the royal train, as listed, and that members of the royal family have not made private use of the train:

  • 1991–92
    • HM The Queen
    • The Duke of Edinburgh
    • The Prince of Wales
    • The Princess Royal
    • The Duke of York
    • The Duke of Kent
  • 1992–93
    • HM The Queen
    • The Duke of Edinburgh
    • The Prince of Wales
    • The Princess Royal
    • The Duke of York
    • The Duke of Kent
  • 1993–94
    • HM The Queen
    • The Duke of Edinburgh
    • The Prince of Wales
    • The Princess Royal
    • The Prince Edward
      • 649
    • The Duke of Kent
    • The Duchess of Kent
  • 1994–95
    • HM The Queen
    • The Duke of Edinburgh
    • The Prince of Wales
    • The Princess Royal
    • The Duchess of Kent
  • 1995–96
    • HM The Queen
    • The Duke of Edinburgh
    • The Prince of Wales
    • The Princess Royal
    • The Duchess of Kent.

Mr. Corbett

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the cost per passenger mile of the royal train and how this compares with commercial charges for equivalent journeys. [13690]

Mr. Watts

[holding answer 31 January 1997]: No figures are readily available for the cost per passenger mile of the royal train because the numbers travelling on the train vary. If an estimate were made, the cost would not be comparable with commercial charges for equivalent journeys.

Mr. Corbett

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff are employed(a) full-time and (b) part-time to support, staff and operate the royal train. [13691]

Mr. Watts

[holding answer 31 January 1997]: This is a matter for the companies which own and operate the royal train—Railtrack and English, Welsh and Scottish Railway Ltd.