§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been spent by his Department on external consultants and advisers since May 1997 funded from (i) his Department's programme provision and (ii) his Department's running costs. [99489]
§ Mr. HainDuring the period 1 May 1997 to 31 October 1999, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office spent £46.1 million on external consultancy and advice, relating principally to technical expertise for major capital projects, in particular major information technology and estates development at home and overseas. Identifying expenditure on consultancy and advice funded from programme provision which is not held centrally could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.