§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much(a) his Department and (b) each agency and non-departmental public body spent on external consultancy in each year from 1995–96 to 2002–03 (planned); and if he will make a statement. [92236]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe information available (1995–96 to 2001–02) is provided in the table.
A record of planned expenditure for the current financial year is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Information relating to actual spend will be collated early in the next financial year.
The level of expenditure in recent years with external consultants is explained by a wide-ranging and fast paced programme of change, designed to modernise and increase efficiency, provide better customer service, and value for money.
Delivering such a programme has necessitated the use of external expertise to supplement internal resources.