asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what his Department has spent on (a) computer hardware and (b) computer software for each year since 1984; and what is the projected expenditure for 1987.

In 1985–86, expenditure on hardware was £5·02 million and on software £0·65 million. For 1986–87, estimated expenditure on hardware will be £6·42 million and on software £0·86 million. Expenditure proposals for 1987–88 have not yet been finalised.