§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the cost to date and the expected future cost of his Department's market-testing programme; how many staff are engaged full time in work relating to market testing; which firms of consultants have been used in connection with the market-testing programme; and how they were selected.
§ Mr. SproatMy Department has spent £173,682 to date on its own market-testing programme. Future costs are likely to be considerably less. The Royal Parks Agency and the Historic Royal Palaces Agency have spent £147,833 and £9,000 respectively since becoming the responsibility of my Department in April 1992. The Royal Parks and HRPA expect future costs of £20,000 and £10,000 respectively.
No staff are engaged full-time in work relating to market testing in the Department or its agencies.
The Department employed PE International as its consultant. The Royal Parks Agency employed Cluttons and Watts and Partners and the HRPA employed Land Use Consultants. All were selected by competitive tender.