asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will bring up to date his answer to the hon. Member of Melton on 12 December 1980, Official Report, c. 828, regarding the size and cost of his Department.

[pursuant to his reply, 2 March 1982, c. 117]: On 1 February 1982 the total number of non-industrial and industrial staff in post in the Department of the Environment including the Property Services Agency was 40,526. This is a reduction of 19·1 per cent. since the general election.The net cost to public funds of running the Department during the financial year ending 31 March 1982 is estimated to be some £466·9 million made up as follows—at outturn prices:

	million
Wages and salaries	204·1
General administrative expenditure	89·9
Accommodation and HMSO	57·0
Pay etc. of PSA industrials	115·9
TOTAL	466·9

As in previous answers to my hon. Friend, the staff numbers in this answer exclude casually or seasonally employed staff and PSA staff locally engaged overseas. They also exclude the Ordnance Survey.