asked the Minister of Transport what was the administrative cost of the road construction units during each of the last five financial years; and what was the total cost of the motorway and trunk road proposals for which they were responsible during the same period.

The administrative cost of the RCUs during each of the last five financial years was as follows:

1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80
£16·2m	£21·2m	£19·8m	£19·7m	£21·5m

at outturn prices (1979–80 figure is estimated outturn).The programme of road schemes for which RCUs have been responsible during the same period was as follows—at November prices for each year:

1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80
£2100m	£2500m	£2150m	£2500m	£2750m

We have now published policy proposals for the future of the RCUs and the management of the trunk road programme.