§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions since 1998(a) the sleeping cars and (b) the rest of the Royal Train have been hired out to (i) Government departments and (ii) commercial undertakings; and if he will make a statement. [119852]
§ Mr. HillThe Train has been used once for official Government business since 1998—for a function hosted by Mrs. Blair for the wives of the G8 Heads of Government on 16 May 1998. The Train, including sleeping cars, has not been hired out to any commercial490W undertakings during this period. The Train is available for use by Government departments and appropriate organisations, on a reimbursable basis.