§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Prime Minister what factors led him to decide that(a) the Minister of Transport should have a Cabinet post and (b) the Minister for the Environment should not have a Cabinet post. [28926]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 10 February 19981We decided to merge the old Departments of the Environment and Transport after the election so we could ensure the proper integration of planning, housing and transport, and enable environmental issues to be taken fully into account in all of them. Transport was represented in the Cabinet in the last government, and is likewise represented in this government.