§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list each private sector consultancy firm which has been retained by each agency within his Department, and for his Department as a whole, for the purposes of advising on the market testing programme; and whether the appointment was the result of competitive tendering.
§ Mr. CurryThe Department approached several firms on an informal basis, in order to assess their approach to a step change in market testing.
Further to these discussions, the Department has decided to award a contract covering a preliminary exercise to assist with the selection of areas for more detailed examination.
In view of the small size of this contract, it was felt to be not cost effective to carry out a formal competitive tendering exercise.
§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those parts of his Department, including executive agencies, carrying out reviews over the last 12 months into the pay and grading of staff; and the firm of consultants engaged, where appropriate.
§ Mr. CurryPay and grading issues are kept under review within the Department and within its executive agencies. KPMG has done some work in relation to ADAS which is due to become an agency on 1 April 1992.