§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will describe the procedures leading to the appointment of KPMG Marwick to carry out an investigation into expenditure on the Air Chief Marshal's official residence.
§ Mr. SoamesWherever possible and appropriate my Department places consultancy work by competitive tender. On this occasion, however, the need to make rapid progress with the investigation made it preferable to engage Ms Masters of KPMG Marwick. Ms Masters was already engaged on other work for the Department and we were confident that she was a suitable choice to conduct the assignment.