asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many surveys or statistical inquiries his Department currently has in hand; what is their nature and purpose; how many civil servants are involved; and what is their estimated cost to public funds.

During 1976 there have been 11 major statistical surveys to obtain information on housing and housing conditions that would not otherwise become available. The equivalent of 10 people have been engaged on their preparation and control at a staff cost of around £52,000 excluding overheads. This excludes small ad hoc surveys and those relating to functions now transferred to the Department of Transport.