HC Deb 22 February 1999 vol 326 c44W
Mr. Ruffley

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the services that KPMG have performed for his Department(a) since 1 May 1997 and (b) in the corresponding period prior to 1 May 1997, indicating the remuneration made in each case. [72011]

Mr. Hoon

(a) The total remuneration to KPMG in respect of work awarded by my Department between May 1997 and January 1999 inclusive was £276,132. The bulk of this related to an engagement which began prior to 1 May 1997. (b) The total remuneration to KPMG in respect of work awarded by my Department between July 1995 and April 1997 inclusive was £106,136.

For the period before May 1997 complete information on the specific services performed is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Since 1997, the payments relate to two specific pieces of work, one on the Ancillary Relief Pilot Scheme, which began prior to 1 May 1997, and the second a report on the feasibility of solicitors operating a financially viable business if most money claims were pursued under conditional fee arrangements.