§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what other companies or organisations were considered when KPMG Corporate Finance was appointed to advise on the Crown Agents privatisation; what were the procedures for comparison; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryThe competition for this contract was conducted in compliance with the European Commission directive on contracting for services under negotiated procedures. Subsequent to the notice in the supplement to theOfficial Journal of the European Communities on 16 September, proposals were received from Coopers and Lybrand International, Ernst and Young, Samuel Montagu Company Limited and Touche Ross Corporate Finance as well as KPMG Corporate Finance.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the cost of the contract awarded to KPMG Corporate Finance to advise on the transfer of the Crown Agents to the private sector.
§ Mr. BaldryFor services currently under contract, £90,000.