§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the total fees paid out by his Department to management consultants in 1979–s80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.
§ Mr. Forth[holding answer 12 March 1990]: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the fees paid by the Department of Trade and Industry for general consultancies from 1984–85 to 1988–s89 and the latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91 are given in the table. The apparent decrease from 1986–87 indicates a shift of consultancy expenditure from general to programme-related consultancies for which separate consolidated records are not kept. The allocation for 1990–91 will be set shortly in the light of the Department's annual activity and resource management review.
£000s 1984–85 6,104 1985–86 6,417 1986–87 4,650 1987–88 3,050 1988–89 2,516 1989–90 13,000 1 Forecast outturn.