Probably the most significant happening in 1971 was the formation of Engineering Sciences Data Unit Limited, which began to function on the 1st April. This is important in two ways; in the first case it enlarges the capacity of the Unit in the production of Items both in the aeronautical field and in other branches of engineering, and secondly it may well set a pattern for other organisations wholly owned by the Society. During the nine months of the year during which the Company has been in operation, the Unit has made satisfactory progress, progress which augurs well for the future, and the Council wish to record its appreciation of the work done by both ESDU Ltd, and the subsidiary of the Thomson Organisation, Engineering Data Sales Limited, which is responsible for marketing the Data Items produced by the Unit.