§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much was spent by(a) the Overseas Development Administration in 1996–97 and (b) the Department in the last year for which figures are available on (i) head-hunters and recruitment consultants and (ii) management consultants. [185565]
Mr. Gareth ThomasIn 2003–04 the Department spent £53,840 on a recruitment consultant to assist with our recruitment procedures. There was no similar expenditure in 1996–97 and no expenditure on head-hunters in either year.
DFID's departmental expenditure on overall consultancy services is made available in "Statistics on International Development", Table 12. A copy of this publication is available in the Library of the House. We do not keep a central record of management consultants in particular and this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much was spent(a) by the Overseas Development Administration in 1996–97 and (b) by the Department in the latest accounting period for which figures are available on (i) mobile phones, (ii) hospitality, (iii) taxis and (iv) international travel. [185566]
Mr. Gareth Thomas(a) Data for expenditure by the Overseas Development Administration by budget category for 1996–97 is not readily available and could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
(b) Data for the latest accounting period of 2002-03 as set out by budget category is as follows:
2002–03 £000 Entertainment 82 Domestic and overseas travel inc. taxis 2,645 All expenditure on official entertainment is made in accordance with published Departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting.
Figures for travel reflect all domestic and overseas travel, including expenditure on taxis. All official travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules contained in DFID's staff handbook, which reflects the requirements of the Civil Service Management Code.
Recorded expenditure on mobile phones for 2002–03 is not readily available and could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.