To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 14 May 2009, Official Report, columns 996-97W, on eco-towns, how much his Department plans to spend on stage 2 of the Financial Viability Study of the eco-towns programme; and if he will make a statement. (276533)

Our external advisers will shortly be completing stage 2 of their work to support the assessment of the economic viability of the shortlisted eco-town locations. Given that this work has not been completed it would not be appropriate to provide a total cost at this stage.