Q&A WRITTEN REPLIES

HERITAGE TRIPS: National Heritage ministers travelling abroad cost the taxpayer pounds 46,125 in the last financial year, almost three times the amount spent in 1993-94. The journeys included visits to the Commonwealth Games in Vancouver and a six-day visit to Australia in January, the new Secretary of State, Virginia Bottomley, disclosed.

nBUSINESS TODAY - Commons: House sits at 10am for backbench debates on intensive care beds in London, transport and disposal of nuclear waste, foetal pain, taxation of gilts and bonds, and therapeutic uses of cannabis; Trade and Industry questions; debate on the economy. Lords: Landlord and Tenant Bill, Third Reading; Pensions Bill, Commons amendments; Children (Scotland) Bill, Third Reading.