asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what has been the cost of his Department in each year since it was formed, including the costs of consumer advice centres.

The information is as follows:

Out-turn prices in £ million
1974–75	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79
2·7	3·2	3·5	3·6	3·7
(estimate)

These figures cover salaries, allied services, and general administrative expenditure.The Department's expenditure on supporting consumer advice centres has been:

Out-turn prices in £ million
1974–75	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79
—	0·1	1·0	3·2	3·7
(estimate)