§ Mr. Rhodri MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the names and addresses of each of the consultancy companies who have advised or are advising him on the National Assembly for Wales location project; if each consultancy contract was publicly tendered; what is the expected cost of each contract; and on what date each contract commenced and, where relevant, finished. [35591]
§ Mr. Win Griffiths[holding answer 20 March 1998]: Symonds Group of 22 Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF1 9LJ are the Welsh Office's Property Management Consultants. The Commission provides for the provision of all professional services by them and other professionals engaged by them with the Welsh Office's agreement at rates established in the contract. The contract was awarded following a procurement exercise fully compliant with EC rules on public procurement. It commenced on 1 April 1996, for a period of three years. The associated costs are included in the running cost expenditure of the Welsh Office which is published in the Welsh Office Departmental Report 1997. [Cm 3615]
Under the contract, Symonds Group have engaged Crown and Company to provide advice on all estates and property matters including valuation and to act as negotiating agents for the Welsh Office. In addition, the Welsh Office has an agreement with PACE (Property Advisors to the Civil Estate), who are a Cabinet Office agency, to provide advice on all property matters.
The Welsh Office is in the process of letting two contracts to property consultants to provide separate advice on land purchase and valuation matters and on building costs.