HL Deb 24 February 1998 vol 586 cc81-2WA
Lord Willoughby de Broke

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many consultants are employed by the Department for International Development; what were the dates of their appointment; what is the duration of their contracts; what are the terms of reference of their employment; and what will be the total sum payable in fees to these consultants. [HL692]

Lord Whitty

The Department for International Development currently employs 5 consultants paid for from its running costs budget. The information you require on each including outline terms of reference is:

Name Outline terms of reference Start date Duration Estimated cost (£)
Philip Howard advice on the competitive tender and selection of freighting agent 11/09/1997 30 days 12,000
Richard Curaton advice on the development and introduction of (staff) assessment centres 28/04/97 40 days 23,000
B I inform feasibility study on making available UK accounting systems to overseas offices 16/02/98 20 days 16,000
London Economics advice on private sector investment in infrastructure 01/11/1997 3 months 15,000
Sue Webb advice on the Investors in People Initiative 01/01/1997 24 days 18,800

In addition to the above DFID engages a large number of consultants at the request of, and for the benefit of, overseas governments and institutions the costs of which are met from the aid programme. Information on these could only be provided at disproportionate cost.