asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost to date of the British Urban Development Services Unit; and what is the total value of the contracts secured by this unit.

Actual and notional expenditure to 30th September 1977 is estimated at about £350,000, and has been incurred in the expectation that it will be recouped over time from contracts to be secured by the unit; income in the same period amounts to about £25,000.