§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the expenditure of his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies on external consultants in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98 to date and (iv) 1997–98 full year; and if he will also estimate the cost savings resulting from the employment of such consultants for each of the above years. [26640]
§ Mr. Dewar[holding answer 5 February 1998]: Expenditure by my Department and its agencies on external consultants in 1995–96 and 1996–97 was as follows:
Year £ 1995–96 5,440,000 1996–97 3,520,000 Information is not yet available centrally on expenditure in 1997–98.
Expenditure on external consultants by non-departmental public bodies could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
The Scottish Office follows the guidance given in the August 1994 report of the Cabinet Office Efficiency Scrutiny on the use of External Consultants. External consultants are engaged only when internal resources are not available; best procurement practices are followed to ensure that value for money is obtained; and all consultancy assignments are subject to post-contract reviews. Not all consultancy projects lend themselves to analysis in terms of resultant savings, but I am satisfied that the intelligent and selective use of consultants has delivered worthwhile solutions and benefits for The Scottish Office in recent years.