§ Mr. CashTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much was spent by the Department on(a) special advisers and (b) external 547W contracts in each year since 1997; if she will name the advisers and contractors; and if she will place copies of the relevant contracts in the Library. [100843]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonFor information on special advisers, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Alexander), on 31 January 2003,Official Report, column 1056W.
For information on external consultancy expenditure I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the right hon. Member for Haltemprice and Howden (David Davis) on 28 October 2002, Official Report, column 600W and the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 24 February 2003, Official Report, column 16W.
The Department places very many contracts for a wide range of goods and services including products such as all office furniture, transcription tapes, office supplies and stationary. Services range from the provision of IT, office cleaning, court reporting, postage through to utilities.
Purchasing of such items is generally devolved, so the information requested cannot be readily provided.