How will the Office of the Minister for Finance cut travelling expenses in a year in which he, as Minister for Finance, increased petrol by 15p a gallon?

I think the subhead the Deputy is referring to is the Stationery Office, is that right?

Yes.

The allocation under this subhead was £108,000 in 1980 and £100,000 in 1981. I am satisfied that economies can be achieved in travelling and incidentals, and that subhead is not confined to just travelling. It covers other incidentals. The Deputy will have ample opportunity of going into the details of all these Estimates as we did last year. As a Government we made more time available than any recent Government for debating Estimates, even on a Friday.

How were travelling expenses and other incidental expenses exceeded last year in a manner that the Minister considers they can be reduced this year, particularly in view of the increasing costs of travel inflicted upon the motorists, civil servants and others by himself?

The Deputy obviously finds it hard to grasp the reply I have made and I do not intend to go into the details of the Estimates today. Travelling includes travelling and incidentals and I am going to insist that there will be economies in that part of the Vote in the coming year.