§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest estimates of the expenditure402W on external consultants, including management consultants, for each year since 1992, in 1996 prices, for his Department and its agencies; and what are the quantified annual cost savings which such expenditure has resulted in. [4062]
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 14 November 1996]: The expenditure figures are as follows:
Year Expenditure Expenditure in 1995–96 prices £ £ 1992–93 4,370,327 4,686,979 1993–94 5,383,000 5,635,351 1994–95 4,079,000 4,177,677 1995–96 5,440,364 5,440,364 Not all of the results of consultancy projects lend themselves to measurement in identifiable savings, but major projects over this period can be summarised as:
Work which assists the development of Government policy, especially by considering a range of strategic options. These projects include requirements such as a survey of the public's views and the benefits tend to be qualitative.Projects related to the development of new information technology systems. This work has helped the Department to meet its responsibilities while achieving significant reductions in staff numbers.Work which otherwise assists the implementation of Government policy in Scotland, especially where major changes in the way services are provided are involved. Consultancy assistance in support of the "Competing for Quality" initiative contributed to significant savings for the Department.