§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the circumstances surrounding the award of a consultancy contract to KPMG to advise on the development of the new probation qualification; and if it was awarded after competition. [25339]
§ Mr. SackvilleA contract was awarded to KPMG in January 1996 to advise on the competences required for probation officers on appointment. The contract followed a competitive procurement. The Central Probation Council and the Association of Chief Officers of Probation were invited to participate in the procurement, but declined to do so.